At the International District Heating Summit 2025 in Copenhagen, the partnership between Denmark and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) was officially extended for another three years, marking a continued commitment to collaboration on sustainable heating and industrial decarbonisation.
Denmark is recognised across Europe as a pioneer in the heat transition, and through close cooperation with the Danish Energy Agency, utilities and municipalities in NRW have gained access to Danish know-how and practical experience in planning and implementing efficient heating solutions.
“With this partnership, we are advancing innovative solutions for the heat transition and a climate-neutral industry,” said Christian Mildenberger, Managing Director of Landesverband Erneuerbare Energien NRW. “Working with Denmark helps us bring proven technologies and efficient approaches into practice more quickly – accelerating industrial transformation and making the heat transition economically viable.”
Peter Christian Baggesgaard Hansen, Deputy Director General of the Danish Energy Agency, added:
“By sharing knowledge on district heating and energy efficiency, we not only make our local energy systems more sustainable – we also strengthen Europe’s collective energy security.”
Over the coming years, the cooperation will focus on key strategic topics such as:
- Coupling between electricity and heat markets to improve efficiency
- Integration of new renewable heat sources
- The role of digitalisation in transforming heating networks
Joint activities will include study tours, conferences, and webinars planned for 2026 and beyond.
DBDH supports and facilitates international dialogue on district heating, and the ongoing collaboration between Denmark and North Rhine-Westphalia stands as a strong example of how partnerships can accelerate the green energy transition across borders.
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