Up to 70% of the heat pumps installed in Europe are assembled in Europe, and the sector provides around 433,000 direct and indirect jobs.
EHPA keeps a map up to date showing the 300 heat pump and heat pump component manufacturing sites there are in Europe alone.
Maintaining that competitiveness is vital for Europe’s clean tech leadership and energy independence, and to accelerate the clean energy transition.
In early 2026, the EU is expected to publish its Industrial Accelerator Act, which will set out guidelines to help industries stay competitive in Europe, and try to boost products being ‘Made in Europe’. This will complement the previously published EU Net Zero Industry Act, which aims for 40% of specific clean technologies deployed in Europe to be produced in Europe.
What’s more, investment in skills is key to meet the expected needs in terms of heat pump engineers and installers, with around 500,000 more full-time equivalent employees needing to be ready for action in the next seven years12.
Skills is a topic being researched by the European Commission’s Heat Pump Accelerator Platform, of which EHPA is a co-organiser. EHPA is also part of the EU’s Renewable Energy Skills Partnership, which promotes sector-wide cooperation to build a skilled workforce, ensuring competitiveness and achieving EU energy and climate goals.
EHPA is looking into helping its members to communicate more effectively with installers and potential installers, and is a consortium partner in several relevant EU-funded projects.
The RESKILL4NETZERO project aims to create and test an EU wide scalable blueprint for the critical job profiles needed to address the skilled labour force shortage in the renewable energy industries. This will include training courses and EU recognised certification that confirms the required skills and competences have been acquired at a satisfactory level.
As for the HeatCraftHP project, it aims to identify the skills needed for heat pump installation and troubleshooting, and to develop a comprehensive and tailored programme where learning activities are integrated in daily work activities.
Finally, SKILLSAFE EU focuses on guidelines to help manufacturers and installers work with flammable natural refrigerants safely.
Read more of our annual report 2025:
- Introduction
- A clear policy direction
- Affordability for heat pumps
- Industrial heat pumps and waste heat
- Flexibility
- Product design, innovation and certification
- Partnerships, communications and campaigns
