Municipal heat planning adopted for Hof
The Hof city council unanimously approved the Hof heating plan at yesterday's meeting. This means that the administration and Stadtwerke Hof have been commissioned to implement the first measures. The heating plan is an important strategic instrument that shows how the transformation to a climate-neutral heating supply can be achieved in Hof by 2040.
Mayor Eva Döhla: "We have a responsibility to shape the heating transition in such a way that it is ecologically sensible, socially acceptable and economically feasible. With the municipal heating plan, we have a clear basis for the first time on how we can gradually replace fossil fuels. The results show: The path is challenging, but realisable - if we take it together. The recent discussions about energy prices in particular have once again emphasised how important a secure, affordable and climate-friendly heat supply is for the people in our city."
The first measures planned are the establishment of a "heat supply" implementation team in the city administration and the expansion of advisory services on refurbishment and efficiency. Further measures include a feasibility study for the heating network in the railway station district and transformation studies for the heating networks in the city centre and at the university. Feasibility studies are being prepared for new heating networks and transformation studies for existing networks. Stadtwerke Hof was involved in the creation of the heating plan and is an important player in the realisation of heating networks.
Key results
The final energy demand for heat in the years 2021 to 2023 averaged 701 GWh per year. Around 76% is currently covered by natural gas and heating oil. Around 3 % is currently supplied via heating networks. More than half of the heat demand is accounted for by the residential sector. This results in around 152,289 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year (3.3 tonnes per inhabitant).
- Refurbishments and efficiency improvements could save 26 % of the total heat requirement (at an annual refurbishment rate of 2 %).
- The greatest locally available potential lies in geothermal energy and solar thermal energy.
- Outdoor air heat, biomass and green gases are also required for full coverage.
Target scenario 2040
- Final energy demand falls to around 518 GWh.
- 100 % climate-neutral heat supply planned.
- Approx. 50 % of demand to be covered by heating networks.
The adoption of the municipal heating plan is a prerequisite for receiving full funding from the government. It does not trigger any obligations under the Building Energy Act. Rather, it serves as an orientation framework and as a basis for further studies, in particular on heating networks in individual city neighbourhoods.
You can find the complete heating plan for the city of Hof here: