Everything you need to know about heat networks

Did you know that in France, in 2023, heating networks will have a thermal capacity of 23.8 GW? Thanks to their efficiency and low carbon impact, they have become essential over the years, meeting the heating needs of buildings using renewable energy sources or local recovery. Find out how heat networks work and why this alternative represents a sustainable solution for the future!

What is a heat network?

If you don't really know what a heat network is or simply need a refresher, you've come to the right place! A heat network is a distribution system for centrally produced heat. Comprising one or more units, it can supply several users, private or public, with heating.

How does a heating network work?

Heating networks at the heart of the PPE (Multiannual Programming) strategy of Energy)

“Time is running out to act collectively to accelerate the energy transition! All stakeholders, public and private, must join forces for this essential ambition. One area must be at the heart of this ambition: heat!” Yann Rolland, President of FEDENE Heating & Cooling Networks.

To achieve the target of 32% renewable energy in final energy consumption by 2030, including 38% for final heat consumption, France is committed to promoting heating network systems. Whether linked to geothermal energy, heat recovery from household waste incineration, or biomass combustion, the State has set a target of between 31 and 36 TWh for renewable and recovered heat in 2028.

🤔 Good to know
In 2021, this amount amounted to 18.6 TWh and, in 2023, to 24.4 TWh.

The previous PPE (2016-2023 – we are still waiting for the new PPE) clearly sets out the steps to follow. To achieve the target date, it is necessary to increase the number of connections to existing heating networks, expand them, make them greener, and, of course, create new ones. With this in mind, ADEME has identified 1,600 heating networks to be created and/or expanded by 2030 and a renewable and recovery energy rate of 73%.

What are the prospects for heating networks?

In December 2024, the 20th Meeting of Heating and Cooling Networks took place in Paris, an opportunity to reiterate the urgency of supporting and developing heating and cooling networks, which are essential levers for decarbonizing regions, controlling costs and strengthening sustainable solutions adapted to the challenges of tomorrow. But then, what was said?

• ADEME is maintaining the Heat Fund in 2025 and plans to allocate a similar amount to it in 2024, worth 800 million euros. However, the eligibility and financing conditions have been revised in order to prioritize requests and best support large-scale projects.
• Even though the aid package has quadrupled in 10 years, the amount of requests is estimated at 1.5 billion euros.
• By revealing the average price of heat sold in 2023 by the networks (€114 including tax/MWh and €108 including tax/MWh for networks integrating more than 50% of renewable and recovered energy), we note a 26% decrease compared to 2022, promoting ever more competitive sales prices.

🔢 Key figures

1 000: number of heating networks in France
7,515 km: total length of heating networks in France
49,411: number of delivery points in France
26.1 Twh: total heat delivery in France

Creation of a heating network north of Montpellier

As a Montpellier-based company, Enerfip wants to highlight a local project: a district heating network in the Hérault capital. Did you know that, as part of the creation of an urban heating network north of Montpellier, a project costing more than €64 million was underway to supply the Cévennes and Mosson districts, and the University Hospital? Commissioned at the end of 2025 and gradually connected from 2026, this project will notably stabilize energy prices and establish France's energy sovereignty.

"We can no longer depend on Mr. Putin's gas. We can no longer depend on variations in the price of electricity, which are currently increasing by 10%. And so we must use short-circuit mode to produce our energy through a boiler room. There, a wood-fired boiler will be installed near the University Hospital. And when it is delivered at the end of 2025, it will allow 25,000 homes to be connected to this heating network and therefore provide a fixed energy price over time." Michaël Delafosse, Mayor and President of the Montpellier Metropolitan Area

Beyond the economic dimension, this is of course an act in favor of the energy transition. It is essential to develop a local biomass sector in order to protect ourselves from future energy crises and thus better prepare for the future.

🔢 Key figures

13,000 tons per year: number of tonnes of CO2 avoided
Nearly 20,000: number of housing equivalents supplied
20,500 tonnes per year: wood consumption
30: number of permanent jobs created that cannot be relocated
More than 80% renewable energy on this network

Invest in heating networks with Enerfip!

Enerfip, as a dedicated crowdfunding platform to the energy transition, stands out for its commitment and its vision of the world of tomorrow. Investing in heating networks using our solution offers you a real opportunity to combine decarbonization of the investment and financial profitability. By contributing to the development of projects related to biomass or geothermal energy, you participate in the transition to cleaner energy. In short, trusting Enerfip means supporting sustainable initiatives while enhancing your financial portfolio.