In September 2025, the draft heating plan for Bremen and Bremerhaven was published. It outlines which type of heating supply is suitable for which area in the future to ensure a climate-neutral heating supply. The Bremen heating plan was developed in accordance with the Heating Planning Act (WPG). In addition to the WPG, the Building Energy Act (GEG) is particularly crucial for implementing the heating transition in Germany. Other specialized laws (e.g., the General Conditions for District Heating Supply and the Circular Economy Act) are also significant. Together, these laws establish requirements for the decarbonization of decentralized and piped heat supply—the latter being the focus here—as well as for the use of so-called unavoidable waste heat. As part of the hyBit project, the interplay between the various legal frameworks and their significance for implementing the heat transition was examined. Particular focus was placed on the integration of unavoidable (industrial) waste heat into Bremen’s piped heat supply system. This policy brief is intended to provide citizens interested in municipal heat planning with information on the legal framework and its implications.
In hyBit, IKEM examines how hydrogen can advance Bremen’s industrial transformation and the energy transition in general.
