COGEN Europe launches a wider debate on planning for heat in Europe

The EU total thermal energy demand consumes 60% of the primary energy resources in the EU but its energy and climate strategy has virtually no measures on heat. At its upcoming Annual Conference in Brussels on 3-4 May 2012, COGEN Europe will launch a wider debate among key representatives of the cogeneration sector on how the heat planning under the new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) can help swing the balance towards more integrated energy thinking.

The supporting documents to the EED highlight that “the EU total thermal energy demand consumes some 60% of the primary energy resources in the EU and counts for 46% of its final energy use.” However, there are very few EU Member States which have a clear understanding of or policy structure for this aspect of energy. The new EED will introduce a requirement on the 27 Member States to develop heat plans which triggers a wider debate about more integrated energy thinking.

At the COGEN Europe Annual Conference 2012, Europe’s largest annual cogeneration event, Mr Per Langer, Executive Vice President at Fortum Power and Heat, will deliver a key note speech on how to develop an understanding of the heat market in a low carbon economy. “I am convinced that heat from cogeneration will play an important role in our energy system of the future - and will be part of the solar economy. The cogeneration of heat and electricity has a high efficiency and allows for great flexibility when it comes to using different local fuels. Society needs to treat district heating as one of the solutions for reaching a sustainable future by society.”

Fiona Riddoch, Managing Director of COGEN Europe, said that “cogeneration operates across the heat-electricity divide, providing tangible energy savings. The EU needs to have a far better understanding of its heat demand if it is going to use cogeneration well. The EU needs an energy supply which is both low carbon and efficient to meet the competition challenges of the 21st century”.

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For more information please contact:

Dr Fiona Riddoch, Managing Director

Tel: +32 2 772 8290 Fax: + 32 2 772 5044 Email: fiona.riddoch@cogeneurope.eu

Stefan Craenen, Communications Manager Tel: +32 2 772 8290 Fax: + 32 2 772 5044

Email: stefan.craenen@cogeneurope.eu

About cogeneration:

Cogeneration (also known as CHP or Combined Heat and Power) is the simultaneous production of heat and electricity. 11% of Europe’s electricity and associated heat requirements today are produced using this proven energy efficiency principle. The estimated growth potential for cogeneration is a further 110-120 GWe which will lead to an improved environment and greater economic competitiveness in Europe.

Cogeneration units can be found in different sizes and applications: industry, households and tertiary sector and spans applications with capacities ranging from below 1kw to hundreds of Megawatts.

It is a highly efficient energy solution that delivers energy savings and substantial reductions in CO2 emissions. When seriously supported, as in Denmark, CHP has the potential to increase the energy production and transformation system overall efficiency from a bare 33% (EU average) up to 65%.

Realising the potential of cogeneration in Europe will contribute significantly to reaching the strategic climate and energy goals, such as security of supply, energy efficiency and reduction of emissions.

About COGEN Europe:

COGEN Europe is the European association for the promotion of cogeneration. We represent 70 organisations which are National COGEN Associations, manufacturers, users, utilities and service companies. Currently around 100,000 Europeans are employed in the cogeneration sector. More info on www.cogeneurope.eu