PRESS RELEASE 2009-11.30
Time to Tap the Potential: Eco-Efficient Cities
With the slow pace of action in tackling the issues of energy and climate change and the delayed
publication of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan, two key associations joined forces to force attention on
District Heating, and how it offers a solution to overcome current challenges. Euroheat & Power1 and
the Swedish Association for District Heating2, at a one day interactive workshop and dinner-debate on
December 1st, focused specifically on the proven benefits offered by District Heating.
Speakers at the event, entitled ‘Eco-efficient Cities: Time to Tap the Potential’, will address all aspects of
the technology, and how by adapting it the EU could meet the targets currently being discussed.
Roughly two-thirds of the energy used to produce power in Europe is wasted, mainly because of huge
losses that occur in thermal electricity production in centralized power plants.
Euroheat & Power President, Antonio Bonomo spoke at the event “An international study, the
Ecoheatcool project, has documented the potential offered by District Heating. If District Heating in
Europe were doubled by 2020, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by as much as 9.3% or 404
million tons annually!”
To guarantee achieving the targets set out for 2020, the publication of the Energy Efficiency Action plan
must be top of the agenda for the incoming Commissioner. The associations called for District Heating
networks to be considered as strategic infrastructures in the design of the follow-up to the Lisbon
strategy. They may be local, but their benefits trickle down into the whole EU. They are a way to use
'resources' efficiently, so strategic in enhancing the competitiveness of the EU economy while building
sustainable growth. It is simply a question of deploying proven, dependable and cost-effective energy
systems and technologies.
Notes for Editors
1. Euroheat & Power, the International Association of District Heating & Cooling.
2. Svensk Fjärrvärme, the Swedish Association for District Heating.
3. For more information on Euroheat & Power contact Sinead Boyle:
communications@euroheat.org or www.euroheat.org
4. For more information on the Swedish Association for District Heating contact Annika
Johannesson: annika.johannesson@svenskfjarrvarme.se or www.svenskfjarrvarme.se.
PROGRAMME: December 1st, 2009
WORKSHOP, Hotel Crowne Plaza Europa, Rue de La Loi 107- Brussels. 15.30-18.00
The workshop focuses on establishing a holistic perspective on the production & use of energy from an
urban perspective.
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Ms Terry Slavin, Journalist, will moderate the workshop.
Prof. Sven Werner, Halmstad University, Efficient European Energy System
Mr. Muharrem Demirok, Deputy Mayor responsible for Environment, City of Linköping An
eco‐efficient example built on district heating
Ms. Sabine Froning, Director, Euroheat & Power: Eco‐efficiency and current EU initiatives
Discussion and contributions from participants
DINNER DEBATE Hotel Crowne Plaza Brussels Europa, Rue de la Loi 107,Cocktail 19h, dinner 19h30
The discussions will continue with a dinner debate hosted by MEP Åsa Westlund. The debate will discuss
the future role of district heating in the energy policy of the EU.
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Ms. Åsa Westlund, MEP, will chair the debate.
Ms. Lena Sommestad, Managing Director Swedish District Heating Association :District Heating
and Eco‐efficient Cities
Ms. Anette Persson, Chair of the Council Working Party on Energy, Swedish Presidency
The Eco‐efficient Economy from an Urban Perspective
Mr. Emmanuel Cabau, DG TREN, European Commission, ‘What’s next for the Energy Efficiency
Action Plan’
Closing remarks, Mr Antonio Bonomo, President, Euroheat & Power