Görlitz, 22.07.2024
The European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) has given the green light for the promotion of the cross-border project UNITED HEAT. This forward-looking project is dedicated to the close Polish-German cooperation in the context of the decarbonization of the heat supply in the European city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec.
On February 6, Stadtwerke Görlitz AG (SWG) and its Polish partner SEC-Zgorzelec submitted funding applications for measures as part of the project to the EU. This included planning costs for the overall project, but also the construction of specific facilities such as a biomass heating plant in Zgorzelec, a section of the connecting line between the combined heat and power plant in Görlitz Königshufen and the Görlitz sewage treatment plant, and the integration and expansion of sewage gas storage facilities. “We are very pleased about the approval of these funds by the EU Commission. It is a clear sign that the EU appreciates the importance and supra-regional appeal of our project, thus paving the way for further steps in the close cooperation between Görlitz and Zgorzelec,” said Octavian Ursu, Mayor of the city of Görlitz. Only a few projects across the EU have so far qualified for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme. Rafal Gronicz, Mayor of Zgorzelec, is also pleased about the news from Brussels: “When we presented the declaration of intent for cross-border, climate-neutral district heating supply about four years ago, many were sceptical. But the will and commitment of all involved has paid off, and we see: it is possible!”
However, the financing is not yet complete: All eyes are now on the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), which manages the national funding programme BEW. The approval of the BEW funding application is a mandatory requirement for the implementation of the UNITED HEAT project. “Without the joint support of the federal government and the EU, the necessary decarbonisation of the heat sector in our region is not possible. At least not if we want to continue offering competitive prices for our customers,” Green light from Brussels for the climate-neutral district heating supply in Görlitz/Zgorzelec emphasised Matthias Block, Chairman of the Board of Stadtwerke Görlitz AG. The decision of the BAFA is expected in July. “We are confident that the total financing of the project will be confirmed in the coming weeks and are already working on its implementation,” says Wojciech Makarski, a member of the board of SEC Zgorzelec.
For this purpose, a German-Polish working group has been formed, with experts from the two companies and their shareholders. “We don’t do a project like this every day, so we are pleased that we can rely on the expertise of the Veolia Group and E.ON edis Energia and are actively supported by our colleagues,” Matthias Block explains. About 30 people from different countries are working intensively on the UNITED HEAT project. In addition, the project is actively supported by the German-Polish energy platform on behalf of the Foreign Office. “Everyone is pursuing the same goal: to make a significant contribution to achieving climate targets with the UNITED HEAT project and to design the heat supply in the twin city of Görlitz/Zgorzelec in a sustainable and future-proof way”, said Grzegorz Bicki, the President of the Management Board of SEC Zgorzelec.