How can we all enjoy decent, affordable, and comfortable temperatures in our homes? Locally produced renewable heating and cooling networks will fight energy poverty, increase comfort, make cities sustainable, and increase the Commonwealth’s energy independence and competitiveness in challenging times.
Sofia, a single mother who lives on the top floor of an apartment, and Klaus, whose family lives in a house, face the same problem in every country: rising energy bills. Winter heating and summer cooling both still rely on gas heating appliances, which are becoming increasingly expensive. This is because it is polluting, costly and susceptible to geopolitical tensions.
How can Sophia, Klaus and all of us enjoy a comfortable home while paying the right price? The EU has many solutions to achieve climate neutrality and energy independence, but none will succeed without active public participation to ensure a fair and effective transition.
Coordinated action across all levels of government
Heating and cooling accounts for almost half of the EU’s energy use, and making systems greener and cheaper is a priority. Efficient District Heating and Cooling (DHC) networks powered by clean power replace individual heating systems, reducing maintenance and lowering your bills. When change begins in a city, citizen participation is essential. Community energy initiatives foster social inclusion, collective ownership and long-term commitment, making networks more sustainable and resilient.
This requires local, national and EU authorities to work together. The Energy Efficiency Directive requires cities with a population of 45,000 or more to develop district heating and cooling plans, mapping demand, infrastructure and decarbonization pathways. Cities play a key role in identifying zones, planning networks, and coordinating retrofits and solutions. Furthermore, the upcoming EU Heating and Cooling Strategy will provide useful guidance to accelerate decarbonisation.
However, few Member States have translated these obligations into their support frameworks. If you’re curious about the situation in your country, check out Energy Cities’ EU Tracker. This highlights the gap between the transformative potential of local planning and state support for authorities.
Change starts with citizen engagement
Even when national governments are struggling, local governments and communities are stepping into action, often with support from EU projects such as MUSE DHC. By 2028, we aim to develop nine investment plans and create a replicable model for efficient community-led DHC networks across five countries.
One of the pilots is Sant Cugat Sesgarrigues in Catalonia, Spain, where public buildings are currently using air-thermal heat pumps for space heating and hot water. Backed by strong political will, the city is exploring a fifth-generation DHC network that combines high-efficiency heat pumps with local solar power generation. The project involves the local energy community, experts and public authorities to promote the uptake and engagement of renewable electricity.
Another pilot is Zwolle from the Netherlands. Here, the resident-led Warm Assendorp energy community is developing a collective heating network as part of a broader green renovation project. Originally targeting 172 homes and two schools, strong commitment saw the plan expanded to 500 homes and additional buildings. The DHC system is expected to generate 5.8 GWh of renewable heat per year, which will reduce emissions by 1,835 tons of CO2 equivalent each year. This is roughly equivalent to about 400 cars being taken off the road in a year.
The project, in collaboration with the municipality and with support from MUSE DHC, combines air-water heat pumps, thermal storage systems and backup systems with green roofs and facade gardens, demonstrating that community-driven initiatives can drive sustainability in neighborhoods.
Building EU energy independence through bottom-up transition
While Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine accelerated EU efforts to phase out fossil fuels, the current war with Iran and the resulting blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – “the greatest global energy security threat in history” according to the International Energy Agency – highlights the urgency of ending dependence on gas and oil. Investing in local renewable energy production is essential not only to strengthen energy independence, but also to support the EU’s economy and improve the well-being of all people.
If the cities of Sofia and Klaus implement the DHC network, they will be able to reduce their bills, take pride in contributing to a decarbonized energy system, help the planet and strengthen the independence and resilience of the EU.
This opinion editorial was produced in collaboration with European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the largest annual event dedicated to renewable energy and efficient energy use in Europe. #EUSW2026 is in its 20th year, once again bringing together a community of people interested in building a safe and clean energy future for generations to come.
Check out our event platform and join the conversation.
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