Euroheat & Power shares developments in District Energy worldwide
BRUSSELS, Belgium, 24 February 2026: Euroheat & Power, an international network for District Energy, said practical and scalable solutions for the heat transition are no longer theoretical. Making the announcement through a Press Release, Euroheat & Power said these solutions are operating today and delivering measurable results through District Energy systems around the world.
According to the network, the developments are not limited to Europe. Euroheat & Power said that from North America to Asia, cities and campuses are demonstrating that clean and efficient heating and cooling can be deployed at scale. The network added that the global momentum was recognised on 18 February in Washington, District of Columbia, during the 9th Global District Energy Climate Awards ceremony, jointly organised by the International District Energy Association and Euroheat & Power.
Euroheat & Power said projects from three continents were honoured for advancing decarbonisation, improving efficiency and strengthening climate resilience. The network added that with support from the International Energy Agency, the IEA DHC Technology Collaboration Programme, the UN Environment Programme and the Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association, the awards have become a respected global benchmark for excellence in sustainable heating and cooling.
The network said the winners spanned five categories: New Schemes, Modernisation, Sector Coupling, Emerging District Energy Markets and District Energy in Developing Countries. Euroheat & Power said the categories reflect the breadth of transformation under way, from next-generation networks to upgrades of existing infrastructure and the integration of heating and cooling within wider energy systems.
Euroheat & Power said the projects recognised this year show a sector in evolution. Geothermal energy, thermal energy storage and large-scale waste-heat recovery, the network said, are becoming core features of modern thermal networks. Euroheat & Power added that across cities, campuses and communities, these systems are cutting emissions while reinforcing energy security and long-term affordability.
Euroheat & Power said international cooperation has become indispensable in a fragmented world. The network said initiatives such as the Global District Energy Climate Awards highlight how collaboration can accelerate the heat transition and strengthen climate leadership across continents.
Euroheat & Power said it has announced a call for applications for the DHC start-up arena at the Euroheat & Power Congress 2026. The network said the competitive pitching session would showcase breakthrough solutions across the district heating and cooling ecosystem, from generation and storage to digitalisation, efficiency, customer engagement and sector coupling.
Euroheat & Power said five selected start-ups would pitch live to industry leaders, utilities and investors, gain visibility within the DHC community and compete for one year of free DHC+ membership. The network added that it welcomes early- to growth-stage start-ups under 100 employees with scalable, high-impact solutions and said applications should be submitted by 31 March.
Providing policy updates, Euroheat & Power said 2026 has seen a bumpy start for key district heating and cooling files and shared a timeline of initiatives. The network said the European Emissions Trading System was in the spotlight and highlighted a European Parliament event on using metal industry waste heat for affordable clean heating.
On funding and finance, Euroheat & Power said a leaked draft of the Clean Energy Investment Strategy signalled a cautious upside for district heating. The network said the draft pointed to a major push to mobilise private capital, with energy investment needs of up to EUR 695 billion per year through 2040, and added that European Investment Bank (EIB) backed tools, de-risking mechanisms and improved access to capital markets were central. Euroheat & Power said signals for district heating and cooling were positive, highlighting regulatory stability and recognition of the system value of heat networks in easing grid expansion and integrating renewables and waste heat, and added that further sector specific detail was expected in the upcoming Heating and Cooling Strategy.
Turning to knowledge and innovation, Euroheat & Power said the DHC Academy Winter School had taken place on 3-4 February in Lund, bringing together VET trainers and industry specialists. The network said the programme had been organised together with Heatnet Global and supported by Alfa Laval, Kraftringen, Lund University and Daikin, and combined workshops with a visit to EES Brunnshög, which it described as the world’s largest low-temperature district heating network. Euroheat & Power said participants explored the skills and training needed to support the decarbonisation of heating and cooling systems and added that the event marked an important milestone for the DHC Academy project.
Euroheat & Power said the DHC Academy consortium met on 5 February in Lund, Sweden, hosted by Lund University, to review ongoing work and coordinate priorities for the year ahead. The network said that as the project entered its second year, partners had advanced work on the Higher Education and VET course catalogues and the development of the Academy’s digital learning platform. Euroheat & Power added that discussions addressed the governance and long-term vision of the DHC Academy Alliance to support its future sustainability and said the meeting confirmed a shared commitment to delivering practical, industry-aligned training for Europe’s district heating and cooling sector.
In member and industry news, Euroheat & Power said its member KARNO has secured EUR 82.5 million for clean heat. The network said KARNO has signed a strategic agreement with the European Investment Bank under the ELENA programme of InvestEU, unlocking EUR 82.5 million to deliver 13 decarbonised district heating projects in Belgium and Luxembourg over the next three years. Euroheat & Power said that with heat accounting for around 60% of urban CO₂ emissions and less than one per cent of Belgium’s demand met by clean heat networks, the geothermal, aquathermal and waste heat projects represent a concrete step forward for the heat transition in action.
Looking ahead, Euroheat & Power highlighted a series of upcoming events, including the DHC+ Innovators webinar series on 25 February online, the Strategic Directions for Heat and Cooling Transition workshop on 26 February in Brussels, Belgium, Accelerating the Uptake of Large Thermal Energy Storage on 27 February online, the DHC+ Innovators webinar series on 4 March online, Large Scale Thermal Storage: Flexibility as the New Energy Currency on 5 March online, the DHC+ Innovators webinar series on 11 March online, the 1st Linz District Heating Forum on 17 March in Linz, Austria and the Euroheat & Power Congress on 9-11 June in Krakow, Poland.