Implementation Report Unveiled for the Programme by the Commission
Ibbenbüren, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, has taken a significant step towards a more sustainable future with the presentation of its Municipal Heat Planning at the beginning of 2025. The Climate Protection Manager of the city, Nadine Dirksmeyer, oversees this ambitious project.
The Municipal Heat Planning aims to answer critical questions about the future energy supply, shared solutions, and waste heat utilization. The plan is a response to the local task of municipalities like Ibbenbüren in achieving the climate-neutral goal set by the federal and state governments by 2040.
Currently, the heat supply in Germany is predominantly secured via fossil energy carriers, mainly natural gas and heating oil. In Ibbenbüren, the fossil fuel share in the heat supply is approximately 90%. The city's plan is to convert heating systems primarily by promoting the replacement of old oil and gas heating with renewable energy technologies like heat pumps, pellet heating, and solar energy.
Citizens can now access information about the impact of the Municipal Heat Planning on their property through an interactive map on the city's website (https://www.ourwebsite/heatplanning). This map provides a clear, visual representation of the changes that will take place in the city's heat supply.
The city's plan considers each building individually, offering energy advice and subsidies to support the transition. Personalized energy consultations and evaluations will take into account insulation, technology options, and local energy infrastructure for each building.
Ibbenbüren is one of the first municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia to present such a planning, making it a trailblazer in the region's efforts to become climate-neutral. The municipal heat transition is a significant part of the overall effort to make Germany climate-neutral by 2045, as outlined in the Climate Protection Act, which aims for Germany to be climate-neutral by 2045.
The Municipal Heat Planning of Ibbenbüren is a step towards addressing Germany's goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2045. The heat transition is considered a local task that falls to the municipalities, as the heat supply is local and relatively 'small-scale'. Citizens can now view the concrete consequences of the Municipal Heat Planning on an interactive map and a Story Map, providing a clear and engaging way to understand the changes that will take place in their city.
As the Municipal Heat Planning is implemented, Ibbenbüren will move towards a more sustainable, renewable future, setting an example for other municipalities across Germany.
