Poland, home to the largest district heating network in Europe, stands at a pivotal moment. With over 400 district heating utilities – from major urban systems to small municipal providers – the green transition is not only necessary, but urgent. Yet the transformation challenge is as diverse as the country’s network itself. While nine utilities operate systems above 1,000 MWt, much of the decarbonization burden rests on smaller and mid-sized providers that often lack the financial and structural resources to act quickly.
In this context, the TFE project, coordinated by DBDH and funded by the Danish Energy Agency, arrived at exactly the right time. The project brought together Danish and Polish experts to co-create a development plan and build capacity for sustainable modernization in Polish district heating.
Strategic collaboration with impact
As the coordinating partner, DBDH facilitated collaboration between Danish and Polish stakeholders—aligning technical expertise with local realities. The result? Replicable models for sustainable district heating and meaningful progress on the ground.
A highlight of the project was the development plan for MPEC Ostróda, a small yet ambitious utility. Designed by Danish consultancy Artelia, the plan lays out a clear roadmap to reach 66% renewable heat by 2030 and cut CO₂ emissions by 90%.
It integrates solar thermal, biomass, heat pumps, and thermal storage—combined with consumer engagement and efficiency upgrades. It proves that smaller systems can act faster — but also shows that true transformation is always driven by people. In every successful case, there’s a local leader bold enough to push change forward.
Download the development plan here.
Gliwice’s green energy park: a model for innovation
The TFE project also continued the sparring with PEC-Gliwice, a utility already known for its progressive outlook. Their Green Energy Park – combining a 13.5 MW solar farm, large-scale heat storage, high-efficiency recovery, and even a 50-meter observation tower – is a shining example of what forward-looking innovation in district heating can look like. Gliwice’s efforts to reduce coal use by 1,500 tons per year speak to their concrete commitment to sustainable heat.
What we heard from Poland
A consistent message echoed throughout the project: “Change is inevitable – but financing remains a critical barrier.”
Tariff structures leave little space for reinvestment, and while utilities are ready to act, they cannot shoulder the green transition cost alone. There’s also a growing awareness that flexibility – not just capacity – must be central to planning, particularly as frost days decline and the climate continues to shift.
Technologies like heat storage, distributed sources, electrification, and even micro nuclear technologies are all on the table, but large-scale deployment requires a stable regulatory framework. Until the long-anticipated strategic plan from the Ministry of Climate and Environment arrives, Polish utilities are navigating change with determination, but also with uncertainty.
Looking ahead: Shared progress
At DBDH, we are proud to have played a role in this process. Coordinating the TFE project has been a truly rewarding experience — a chance to facilitate real dialogue, build strong partnerships, and contribute to designing the future of heat in Poland. This journey has shown once again that transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when people come together across borders, share knowledge, and take collective action.
The future of heat in Poland is being designed now. Let’s make it sustainable.
For more information contact Lesia Logvynenko at ll@dbdh.dk