Europe’s clean energy future was on full display last night as pioneers of the heat pump industry took centre stage at the 2025 Heat Pump Awards.
From data centres to fishmeal factories, from urban households to entire cities, this year’s winners proved one thing: heat pumps are not the future; they are the present.
Held at the MIX Hotel in Brussels as part of the Heat Pump Forum, the ceremony honoured groundbreaking projects and people who are transforming the way Europe heats, cools, and powers its communities.
The evening was opened by Paul Kenny, Director General of EHPA, who highlighted the importance of real-world examples: “Nothing speaks louder than success, and tonight, we celebrated the projects proving that heat pumps are reliable, efficient, and making a powerful impact across Europe.”
Hosted by Martina Battocchio, EU Projects Officer at EHPA and in charge of the Awards since 2024, the ceremony showcased five categories of excellence.
The Heat Pump City of the Year award went to Finnish manufacturer Calefa Oy, together with energy company Savon Voima and engineering company Rejlers, for their project using river water as renewable heat sources in Finland. The award was accepted by Mikko Heikkilä, Board Member at Calefa Oy, and Kari Anttonen, Business Director of District Heat and Electricity Production at Savon Voima.
The DecarbIndustry award, introduced by Jury member Thomas Fleckl, Head of Competence Unit Sustainable Thermal Energy Systems at the Austrian Institute of Technology, was given to fish processing company Pelagia AS and its partners Aneo Industry and Enerin. Their project in Måløy, Norway, demonstrates how fishmeal waste heat can be turned into green process energy, decarbonising industrial steam production. The award was accepted by Christian Schlemminger, Chief of Operations at Aneo Industry.
The DecarbBuilding category, introduced by Jury member Jussi Hirvonen, Executive Director of the Finnish Heat Pump Association, recognised Smart Heating Oy for their Veijarivuorenpuisto hybrid heating system in Helsinki. This innovative project combines geothermal energy, waste heat recovery, and district heating, managed with smart automation, to deliver clean, efficient energy to 51 households. The award was accepted by Arto Nissilä, responsible for Product and Portfolio Development, and Kaisu Halonen, responsible for Sales and Marketing Development at Smart Heating Oy.
The Lighthouse Heat Pump award was presented to VIA University College and its partners Hedensted Kommune, HEDENSTED SPILDEVAND A/S, Løsning Fjernvarme, GEODRILLING, NCC Denmark, PlanEnergi, and Energy Machines. Their project, “The Thermoroad,” is the world’s first full-scale integration of a geothermal 5th generation district heating and cooling system with a Sustainable Urban Drainage System. The award was accepted by Søren Erbs Poulsen, Docent and Head of Research at VIA University College.
The People’s Choice award went to Trane Technologies and Infomaniak for their data centre project in Geneva. By transforming waste heat into renewable district heating, the project provides enough energy to heat 6,000 homes or supply daily showers for 20,000 people, while avoiding thousands of tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The award was accepted by Dominique Silva, Group Marketing Leader EMEA at Trane Technologies.
Since 2024, winners have received not just recognition but also a bespoke LEGO heat pump set designed by Little Machine, a playful nod to the industry’s creativity and technical brilliance.
As Europe races towards its climate goals, these projects show the way forward – innovative, practical, and ready to scale.
Questions?
Contact Martina Battocchio, EU Projects Officer at martina.battocchio@ehpa.org
