Policy should facilitate the expansion of large heat pumps

17.06.2025

Source: E & M powernews

According to Fraunhofer IEG and LEA Hessen, the market for large heat pumps is growing strongly. The industry association BWP is calling for simpler approvals and stable funding conditions for the heat transition.

The expansion of large heat pumps in Germany is gaining momentum. According to a recent survey by the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy (Fraunhofer IEG) and the State Energy Agency of Hesse (LEA Hessen), installed capacity has recently risen to over 180 MW. A further 70 or so projects with a total of more than 900 MW are in planning or under construction. According to the study, more than 700 MW of additional capacity has been announced for the coming years.

To date, large heat pumps have mainly been used in district heating supply. Rivers in particular are to be used as heat sources. However, a lack of framework conditions has hindered companies' decisions in these projects in particular. The German Heat Pump Association (BWP) warns of delays due to inconsistent approval processes. "Many projects are delayed due to regulatory uncertainties or, in the worst case, could be canceled altogether," said BWP Managing Director Martin Sabel.

Germany is lagging behind

In a European comparison, Germany is lagging behind, the association complains. In Denmark alone, 178 large heat pumps with a combined output of 580 MW are already in use - in a much smaller country. Sweden and Switzerland have also been increasingly relying on this proven technology for years.

One prominent example is a seawater heat pump in Esbjerg, Denmark. It replaces a coal-fired power station there and supplies around 100,000 people with district heating. According to the BWP, this shows the potential of the technology - if the framework conditions are right.

Setting rules for river water as a heat source

The association sees great potential in the use of river water. More than half of the planned plants in Germany are to tap into this heat source. In addition to energy use, this could also bring ecological benefits, according to Sabel: "Cooling overheated waters with large heat pumps can bring additional benefits, especially in summer."

However, to date there has been a lack of uniform specifications for recycling the water used. The BWP is therefore calling for a nationally coordinated consultation process in order to create practical approval structures and ensure planning security. "Warm cooling water from industry may be discharged, but not cooled return water from heat pumps, even though this can help the overheated rivers," he regretted.

Funding not sufficiently equipped

In addition to permits, the association also sees a need to catch up in terms of financial support. "The technology is there, the projects are on the table - what is missing is a reliable framework," emphasized Sabel. It is true that large heat pumps can be subsidized via the federal subsidy for efficient buildings (BEG). However, the conditions need to be made more stable and practical.

In addition, there is the federal funding for efficient heating networks (BEW), which is intended to support the expansion of renewable district heating systems. According to the BWP, the current funding is not sufficient to secure the project pipeline. Other industry associations such as VKU and BDEW are also calling for improvements here. Although the German government's coalition agreement provides for an increase in the BEW, no concrete progress has been made. "We need clarity here quickly, because important investment decisions are now pending and the heating transition cannot be delayed," says Sabel.

Reference projects for large heat pumps are available on the Internet.

Author: Susanne Harmsen