Topolánek: Modernization of Czech district heating plants will cost CZK 180 billion by 2030

The cost of modernizing Czech district heating plants, whose operators will have to replace old coal-fired technologies with new heat sources and distribution networks by 2030, is expected to be around CZK 180 billion. The projects are financed through grants from the Modernisation Fund, which has CZK 87.5 billion available for district heating plants. Mirek Topolánek, chairman of the Association for District Heating, said this in Olomouc at the opening of the two-day Days of District Heating and Energy conference today.

By 2030, district heating plants will move away from coal, currently their main fuel, mainly to natural gas, solid biomass and biomethane. „We estimate total investment through 2030 at CZK 180 billion,“ Topolánek said. He added that the successful transformation of Czech district heating depends on EU legislation taking an acceptable form and on securing adequate funding through the programme focused on supporting the modernization of heat supply systems.