The European Commission has now officially dropped its Heat Pump Action Plan.
The Plan, initially announced in 2023, was strongly supported by the heat pump sector and in letters from a majority of Member States, over 60 industry CEOs, and organisations including civil society.
Paul Kenny, Director General of the European Heat Pump Association commented:
“While this comes as no surprise, it is essential that the elements the heat pump sector need are included in the forthcoming EU Heating and Cooling Strategy and Electrification Action Plan.
These are part of the European Commission’s energy security framework, and there is nothing more secure than a heat pump powered by locally produced clean energy.
Critically, these plans must ensure switching to heat pumps is affordable, both upfront and during operation, by addressing subsidies and energy taxation.
Investments and planning can be locked in via clear, consistent and supportive long-term policies – for example targets and enforced implementation.
What’s more, heat pumps can bring huge savings to the power grid through their flexibility, but this must be prioritised and consumers incentivised.
Industrial heat pumps and waste heat recovery should become the default option for factories using process heat of below 200°C.
If the European Commission supports the faster rollout of heat pumps in this way in its upcoming plans, it will boost the benefits for Europe – greater energy security, clean tech leadership, local jobs, decarbonisation of buildings and industry – as was the intention of the cancelled EU Heat Pump Action Plan.”
EHPA is part of the European Commission’s Heat Pump Accelerator Platform, which aims to bring the heat pump community together to drive uptake. The Platform held its most recent meeting last week.
