Görlitz/Zgorzelec, 31 March 2026
A historic moment for Poland and Germany: after six years of intensive planning, the construction phase of the transnational district heating project UNITED HEAT was officially launched today in the twin European cities of Görlitz/Zgorzelec. With UNITED HEAT, the two cities and their partners are realising a seminal project that will secure a sustainable heat supply for residents on both sides of the border for generations to come. A ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of the Görlitz wastewater treatment plant marked a powerful statement in favour of the European energy transition, jointly delivered by Stadtwerke Görlitz (SWG AG), a Veolia company, and Polish heat supplier SEC Zgorzelec, a subsidiary of E.ON.
The significance of the undertaking was reflected in the distinguished list of attendees. German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, Undersecretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Energy Konrad Wojnarowski, Minister-President of Saxony Michael Kretschmer, as well as Paweł Gancarz, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, joined Mayors Octavian Ursu (Görlitz) and Rafał Gronicz (Zgorzelec) in marking this milestone in German-Polish cooperation.
A Model Project for Europe
By 2030, both cities will transition their heat generation entirely to renewable energy sources. Technologies to be deployed include solar thermal energy with seasonal storage, heat recovery from lake water and wastewater, biomass boilers, and power-to-heat installations. This transformation will enable annual CO₂ savings of nearly 50,000 tonnes — equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 28,000 passenger vehicles.
By interconnecting the district heating networks — both within Görlitz and across the border with Zgorzelec — the project will generate synergies that extend climate-friendly district heating to additional households while significantly enhancing security of supply on both sides of the Neisse River.
Statements
Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy
“United Heat is a striking example of how local authorities can successfully collaborate on heat supply across national borders. To ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable heat supply in the heart of Europe, we are supporting investments on the German side with 81.6 million euros. By linking the German and Polish district heating networks, the heating sector will be decarbonised cost-effectively and our energy security strengthened – creating a modern infrastructure that benefits businesses and consumers in Görlitz and Zgorzelec.”
Miłosz Motyka, Polish Minister of Energy
“The integration of Poland’s and Germany’s district heating systems is a very important step for energy security, but also a symbolic gesture of partnership and our shared responsibility. Thanks to this project, Poland and Germany will be able to jointly ensure stable heat supplies, optimize energy use, and develop low-emission technologies. Cross-border cooperation in the heating sector enables the exchange of knowledge, the implementation of innovations, and the creation of systems that are resilient to fluctuations in the energy market. It is also a model for other countries in our region in terms of building collective resilience. I would like to thank our partners from Germany for their commitment and trust.”
Matthias Block, Chief Executive Officer, Stadtwerke Görlitz AG
“UNITED HEAT is more than an infrastructure project — it is a symbol of successful European cooperation and a resolute commitment to decarbonisation, efficiency, and long-term resilience.”
Jarosław Grzęda, Deputy Managing Director, SEC Zgorzelec
“At our site in Zgorzelec, we are already constructing a biomass heating plant. In addition, we will commission a solar heating plant with thermal storage and interconnect the district heating networks of both cities. The result will be a system that guarantees residents both security of supply and independence in their heat provision — based on renewable energy sources. The people of Zgorzelec can be confident that their heat supply is secured regardless of fuel availability or geopolitical developments.”
Martin Ridder, CEO, Energy & Water Division, Veolia
“Sustainable heat supply is one of the central tasks of our time. UNITED HEAT shows how this can be achieved: by deploying an intelligent mix of regional heat generation and state-of-the-art technologies to drive the ecological transformation in an economically viable and affordable way.”
Marten Bunnemann, CEO, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions
“Today’s groundbreaking is a powerful signal of a collaboration that transcends corporate and even national boundaries. UNITED HEAT is more than another step towards modern heat infrastructure. It is a joint endeavour that stands for a strong European community — particularly in times of global uncertainty.”
From Vision to Reality
After years of intensive planning, UNITED HEAT is now becoming a reality. With today’s groundbreaking, construction begins on a total of twelve kilometres of connecting pipeline that will unite two cities, two countries, and two district heating networks into a single Jarosław Grzęda, Deputy Managing Director, SEC Zgorzelec
“At our site in Zgorzelec, we are already constructing a biomass heating plant. In addition, we will commission a solar heating plant with thermal storage and interconnect the district heating networks of both cities. The result will be a system that guarantees residents both security of supply and independence in their heat provision — based on renewable energy sources. The people of Zgorzelec can be confident that their heat supply is secured regardless of fuel availability or geopolitical developments.”
Martin Ridder, CEO, Energy & Water Division, Veolia
“Sustainable heat supply is one of the central tasks of our time. UNITED HEAT shows how this can be achieved: by deploying an intelligent mix of regional heat generation and state-of-the-art technologies to drive the ecological transformation in an economically viable and affordable way.”
Marten Bunnemann, CEO, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions
“Today’s groundbreaking is a powerful signal of a collaboration that transcends corporate and even national boundaries. UNITED HEAT is more than another step towards modern heat infrastructure. It is a joint endeavour that stands for a strong European community — particularly in times of global uncertainty.”
From Vision to Reality
After years of intensive planning, UNITED HEAT is now becoming a reality. With today’s groundbreaking, construction begins on a total of twelve kilometres of connecting pipeline that will unite two cities, two countries, and two district heating networks into a single
Ground-breaking ceremony for UNITED HEAT: Matthias Block (Chairman of the Board, Stadtwerke Görlitz AG), Rafał Gronicz (Mayor of Zgorzelec), Octavian Ursu (Mayor of Görlitz), Michael Kretschmer (Prime Minister of Saxony), Katherina Reiche (Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy), Konrad Wojnarowski (Under-Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Energy), Paweł Gancarz (Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship), Adam Kampa (CEO Szczecińska Energetyka Cieplna Sp. z o.o.), Marten Bunnemann (CEO E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions) (from left to right) jointly give the go-ahead for the cross-border district heating project. Foto: Nikolai Schmidt
Rafał Gronicz (Mayor of Zgorzelec), Paweł Gancarz (Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship), Konrad Wojnarowski (Under-Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Energy), Marten Bunnemann (CEO E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions), Katherina Reiche (Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy), Octavian Ursu (Mayor of Görlitz), Michael Kretschmer (Prime Minister of Saxony), Martin Ridder (CEO Energy & Water Division Veolia)(from left to right), on the site of the Görlitz sewage treatment plant. With the start of the first construction phase, the project is no longer a vision of the future, but a concrete reality. Foto: Nikolai Schmidt
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