Erfurt's heat plan criticized for unclear household costs

A citizens' initiative in Erfurt, Germany, has raised concerns over the city's draft heat plan, arguing it fails to provide crucial cost comparisons for households. While the plan aims for climate neutrality by 2045, the initiative "Klimaentscheid Erfurt" states that concrete figures on the financial impact for residents are missing.

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In the plan, every efficiency comparison is missing.

The draft plan, presented in late March, references an estimated 10 million euro cost for converting Erfurt's gas network to green hydrogen. It also notes the expectation of Stadtwerke Erfurt, the city's utility company, to supply heat via gas to parts of the city if prices decrease. However, the initiative criticizes the plan for omitting efficiency comparisons, particularly with alternatives like electric heat pumps.

Experts estimate that converting existing natural gas boilers to hydrogen could cost households between a mid-to-high four-figure euro amount. The initiative stresses the need for a "compensation strategy" for low-income households facing these potential costs. They also point to unresolved issues regarding hydrogen's cost-effectiveness, binding commitments from long-distance gas suppliers, and suitable household heating technology.

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The heat plan refers to an 'conversion effort on the consumer side' for retrofitting existing natural gas boilers and expert estimates, according to which this could cost a 'medium to high four-figure euro amount per household'.

Erfurt's draft heat plan is currently open for public consultation, with the city required to finalize its plan by the end of June. Ten other Thuringian cities and municipalities, including Eisenach, Meiningen, and Jena, have already completed their heat planning.

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Compensation strategy