Climate-Neutral Heat Planning in Bochum: How the City is Shaping the Heat Transition

Climate-Neutral Heat Planning in Bochum: How the City is Shaping the Heat Transition

Amid the climate crisis and rising energy costs, the city of Bochum has set a clear course for the future of its heating supply: by 2035, the heating supply should be climate-neutral. In April 2026, important decisions and planning steps were announced that lay the foundation for a climate-friendly expansion of the heating supply. The current heat planning is not only a political signal, but also a technical and economic challenge, which Bochum is addressing with a wide range of measures.

The Heating Demand and the Current Situation

Bochum is a city with a high heating demand: Approximately 3,180 GWh of heat is required annually, with the residential sector accounting for 57 percent of the total. Currently, natural gas still covers the majority of the heating demand – 88 percent – followed by heating oil (3 percent) and district heating (17 percent). On average, the heating systems are 16 years old and show a high need for renovation.

The city has conducted a detailed stock analysis, which shows that 77 percent of the buildings were constructed before 1981 and more than 69 percent have a renovation potential of more than 100 kWh/m²a. This underlines the necessity of a comprehensive heat transition that requires both technical innovations and steering instruments.

Heat Planning as a Strategic Guideline

The municipal heat planning in Bochum serves as a strategic guideline for the transformation of the heating supply. It is part of the climate strategy and specifies the transformation paths of the Climate Plan 2035. The planning is not legally binding, but is intended to serve as an orientation framework for owners, investors, and political actors.

The heat plan outlines scenarios for central and decentralized heating supply. In densely populated areas such as Wattenscheid-Mitte or Stahlhausen-Goldhamme, district heating is considered the most economical solution. In less densely populated areas, heat pumps, solar thermal energy, or biomass are preferred. The city plans neighborhood-specific strategies based on stock analyses and potential studies.

Important Instruments and Measures

The implementation of the heat transition requires a broad range of instruments. A central component is the district heating ordinance, which will establish a binding legal right to connect to the heating network in selected districts. In addition, a monitoring system is being developed to track the progress of CO₂ emissions reductions and to increase public acceptance through transparent communication.

Another focal point is energy consulting, which is being expanded in cooperation with the consumer advice center. Online packages, outreach counseling, and training are intended to help property owners and tenants implement energy-efficient solutions. At the same time, a digital portal is being set up to make planning, costs, and infrastructure measures transparent.

Decentralized Technologies and Craft Capacity

The city is also relying on decentralized technologies such as air-source heat pumps, solar thermal energy, or biomass systems. In districts with existing or planned heating networks, a decentralized supply is unlikely. The suitability assessment for district heating is carried out based on technical, economic, and infrastructural criteria.

Another central topic is craft capacity. To accelerate the heating system change and renovation, targeted recruitment campaigns are being conducted at schools and vocational training institutes. In addition, approval procedures for infrastructure projects will be accelerated to avoid bottlenecks in the power grid caused by heat pumps.

Outlook: A Coordinated Heat Transition

The heat transition in Bochum is a process that requires not only technological progress, but also social and economic transformation. The city has created a clear framework with the heat plan, which combines central and decentralized solutions. The cooperation with municipal utilities, housing companies, and external consultants shows that the heat transition in Bochum is not only based on political decisions, but also depends on the coordination and involvement of many actors.

By 2035, Bochum will not only be climate-neutral, but also a model for other cities in the region. The challenge is great, but the conditions are favorable: With a clear plan, broad participation, and a wide range of measures, Bochum is on the right track.