Denmark DH – Record numbers connected to district heating networks in 2020

2020 was a record year for new connections to district heating, according to new figures from 'Denmark Statistik'.
The total number of new district heating consumers has thus increased by 28,641, which is just over 42 percent more than the average annual growth over the past ten years.
Thus, more than 1.8 million Danish homes today get district heating. It is fantastic that in 2020 so many Danes chose to join the green district heating. This is proof that there is a great deal of confidence and satisfaction with district heating, with its many consumer benefits and generally falling prices. And not least, it is very good news for Denmark's climate action to reach the 70 percent target, where the spread of green heat is an important part of the journey towards 2030, says Rune Moesgaard, Political Manager at Dansk District Heating.

Where do they come from?
Part of the development can be attributed to the conversion of natural gas boilers to district heating, which the government and 'Folketinet' last year accelerated with the climate agreement for energy and industry. However, the majority of new district heating consumers come from elsewhere. According to Dansk District Heating's own inventories, most of the growth comes from new construction.  We can also see that the builders so much want district heating in new housing projects.

Many more connections in store
More new connections are expected in early 2021, but also an even higher increase in 2022 – especially in light of the climate agreement, where new district heating projects will no longer be compared to gas alternatives.

- There is bustle in the industry and our members are making a huge effort. The appetite to spread green district heating to more consumers is great. The district heating companies must be given great credit for both responding to the 'Folketinet's' wishes and signals to contribute to climate action, but also, of course, to the high demand among potential consumers who want to get district heating to their residential areas. This is hugely positive, and I think that we will reach 1.9 million consumers more quickly than we came from 1.7 to 1.8 million, says Rune Moesgaard.