Neu-Ulm’s municipal heating plan has been approved
bifa Environmental Institute develops strategies for sustainable heat supply
Between January 2025 and February 2026, the bifa Environmental Institute developed a Municipal Heating Plan for and in collaboration with the City of Neu-Ulm, with the aim of achieving a cost-effective, resilient and greenhouse gas-neutral heating supply by 2040. The City of Neu-Ulm built on previous climate protection activities, including the 2023 Climate Protection Concept and the establishment of a Climate Protection Advisory Board in 2020.
The project involved an assessment of the current heating supply and an analysis of the potential for renewable heat sources. The study covered areas ranging from inner-city neighbourhoods to rural districts. Building on this, a 2040 target scenario was developed that takes into account solutions for locally varying supply situations.
A central component of the project was the intensive involvement of specialist stakeholders and the public. In particular, data and measures were coordinated in detail with the local energy supplier SWU. To this end, SWU contributed the results of its recently drawn up heat transformation plan. A workshop moderated by bifa gathered a broad range of perspectives and proposals from experts. The City of Neu-Ulm provided regular updates on the progress of the planning. Two public information events met with keen interest. During these events, the Ulm Regional Energy Agency also provided information on building requirements, whilst SWU discussed its heat transformation plan.
Even during the course of the project, interests regarding waste heat discharge and district heating supply on an industrial scale were brought together. Impetus was provided for a more detailed examination of areas suitable for heat networks. To drive the heat transformation forward in a targeted manner, the City of Neu-Ulm is in an excellent position thanks to its own climate protection management system and the committed local district heating provider SWU.
The Municipal Heat Plan drawn up by bifa was approved on 3 February 2026 by the Planning and Environment Committee of the City of Neu-Ulm.
The City of Neu-Ulm is receiving financial support for the preparation of the Municipal Heat Plan from the Climate and Transformation Fund of the National Climate Protection Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
The City of Neu-Ulm’s Municipal Heating Plan is published.