Contribution of heat pumps needs to be recognised
26th February 2025
EUROPE: The European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal and Affordable Energy Action Plan have been criticised for failing to specifically address the contribution of the heat pump sector.
The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has described as “positive” the recognition of the need for industrial decarbonisation and clean tech manufacturing in the Clean Industrial Deal and the importance of reducing electricity bills and remunerating energy grid flexibility in the Affordable Energy Action Plan.
“All these are key to speeding up the transition to clean heating and cooling in homes and industries through heat pumps,” the EHPA said in a press statement. “Such an increase in heat pump uptake can reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and therefore provide greater energy security. Indeed, the European Commission’s communication notes that import spending could be cut by €60bn with more heat pumps.”
In spite of this, the EHPA criticises the publications for failing to specifically address the critical contribution of heat pumps.
“What’s more, they do not address the crucial issue of long-term demand predictability for heat pumps. These issues must now be brought into focus in the European Commission’s upcoming Electrification Action Plan and the EU Heating and Cooling Strategy and these must be reflected in legislation and budgets,” the EHPA said.
EHPA director general Paul Kenny insisted that people and industry were unlikely to install a heat pump when they pay less for fossil fuel heating: “The EU Commission’s plans to make electricity more affordable come not a second too soon. Consumers need to be offered a competitive and flexible power price in return for choosing a heat pump and so bolstering European energy security.”
“The heat pump sector must be recognised as a major European strategic industry in the plans that will follow today’s publication, so that a clear policy direction is set that reassures manufacturers, investors and consumers,” he added.
