Salzgitter Committed to Climate Neutrality: Heat Planning, Waste Heat, and Renewable Energies in the Spotlight

Climate Neutrality in Salzgitter: How the City Remains on Course

Salzgitter has established itself as a pioneer in climate protection in recent years. In March 2026, the meeting of the Environmental and Climate Protection Committee once again focused on key planning initiatives and projects designed to accelerate the path to climate neutrality. In particular, municipal heat planning, the use of waste heat, and the integration of renewable energies into the city's infrastructure are given priority.

Municipal Heat Planning: The Key to Climate Neutrality

Salzgitter's heat planning is a central building block on the way to climate neutrality by 2040. The city's current heat demand (excluding industry) is 1,790 GWh/year, with natural gas currently accounting for 75% of the energy mix. The city has set itself the goal of achieving initial interim targets by 2030 and creating a climate-neutral heating supply by 2040.

The planning is being carried out by the company d-fine GmbH, which will submit a comprehensive report by the end of 2026. This includes an analysis of scenarios for the expansion of district heating networks, the use of waste heat, and renewable energies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal, and geothermal energy. District heating, which currently covers 15% of the total heat demand, is a key topic. It is already well established in the districts of Lebenstedt and Thiede and is to be expanded into other parts of the city.

Waste Heat: An Underrated Potential

Another focus of the current climate protection strategy is the use of waste heat. In particular, the northern wastewater treatment plant offers a heat potential of about 14 GWh/year, which can be harnessed through heat exchangers and heat pumps. Industrial waste heat, for example from Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, is also being integrated into the planning. In addition, the use of mine water and surface waters such as the Innerste is being examined, which could theoretically provide up to 294 GWh/year.

However, the use of waste heat also presents challenges, particularly in terms of the spatial proximity between heat sources and demand. Technical and economic feasibility analyses as well as compliance with environmental and protection regulations are decisive for the success of these projects.

Renewable Energies: Photovoltaics, Geothermal Energy, and More

The use of renewable energies is another central topic in Salzgitter's climate protection strategy. The city's photovoltaic potential is 324 GWh/year, of which 50% is considered achievable. In Lebenstedt alone, it is already 84 GWh/year. In addition, deep geothermal energy is being considered as an option for central heating, although it requires a high degree of planning security due to exploration risks and high investment costs.

The use of surface water and mine water is also being included in the planning, as these sources offer stable temperatures and can thus be efficiently integrated into heat pump technologies.

Climate-Friendly Building Materials and De-Sealing

In March 2026, a motion was discussed to make the use of green steel and green concrete mandatory in public construction projects. The goal is to reduce the CO₂ footprint of municipal construction projects. In addition, Salzgitter has begun identifying areas with de-sealing potential to reduce local climate warming. A rating system is used to identify sealed areas with overheating > 5 °C.

Conclusion: Salzgitter on the Path to a Climate-Neutral Future

Salzgitter has made it clear in recent months that it not only formulates its climate protection goals but actively implements them. With municipal heat planning, the use of waste heat, and the integration of renewable energies, Salzgitter has charted a clear course. The coming years will show how successful this strategy is – and whether Salzgitter can serve as a model for other cities.