Dessau-Roßlau: Large-Scale Heat Pump and District Heating Line as Key to Climate-Friendly Energy Supply

Climate-Neutral Dessau-Roßlau: How the City is Making Its District Heating Future-Ready

The energy transition is well underway in Dessau-Roßlau. In April 2026, the city, in collaboration with DVV (Dessauer Versorgungsbetriebe), set important directional course for a long-term climate-friendly and economically viable district heating supply. The principle decision on the large-scale heat pump (GWP) at the wastewater treatment plant and the new district heating line to the airport marks a milestone on the path to climate-neutral heating by 2045.

The Strategic Significance of the Large-Scale Heat Pump

The large-scale heat pump at the wastewater treatment plant is not only a technological innovation but also a central building block in the city's district heating expansion and decarbonization roadmap. It utilizes waste heat from the wastewater treatment plant to supply heat to the district heating network – a procedure in line with the legal requirements of the Heat Planning Act (WPG).

According to the WPG, a minimum share of 30 % renewable energy or unavoidable waste heat must be achieved in heating networks by 2030. Dessau-Roßlau aims not only to comply with these legal requirements but also to actively advance: By 2045, the heat supply is to be 100 % climate-friendly.

The GWP is also supported by funding from the Federal Funding for Efficient Heating Networks (BEW). Module 2 of this funding covers up to 40 % of investment costs (maximum 100 million euros per application), while Module 4 allows for a ten-year operational cost subsidy. For the GWP at the wastewater treatment plant, a total of 19 million euros in funding has been applied for.

The District Heating Line: Technology and Costs in Focus

The new district heating line from the wastewater treatment plant to the airport is another key step. It will be over 3.4 kilometers long and run along the Elballee. The pipeline construction costs amount to 7.90 million euros gross, with total costs including planning, road reconstruction, and permits estimated at 17.62 million euros.

Funding comes from three sources: 11.34 million euros internal funds from the DVV, 3.90 million euros in BEW funding, and 2.38 million euros in municipal internal funds. The latter amount is included in the medium-term financial plan, showing that the city is already considering the long-term effects of the measure in advance.

The road reconstruction in connection with the pipeline relocation is planned for a narrow area – the street width is only about 6 meters. Specific support measures are planned for residents, and negotiations on four private properties are currently underway. The administration supports these efforts in coordination, permitting, and planning.

Economic Viability and Social Benefits of District Heating

The economic viability of district heating is strongly dependent on the number of customers. The DVV plans to connect not only public buildings such as schools and sports halls but also housing companies and a nursing home. Another potential connection is the vehicle maintenance workshop of Deutsche Bahn AG in southern Dessau.

Another advantage of district heating is the lack of need for individual heat pumps or heating systems in the private sector. The heat is generated and distributed centrally, which minimizes maintenance costs, investments, and the need for maintenance personnel. In addition, district heating benefits from state funding, which helps to keep price trends stable.

The DVV has already announced that it will keep district heating prices permanently stable – a decisive factor for acceptance among residents and businesses. The funding applications for Modules 2 and 4 of the BEW are planned for June 10, 2026, with the draft contract for the district heating line to be included in the council decision-making process in the third quarter of 2026.

Outlook: Dessau-Roßlau as a Pioneer in District Heating

With the principle decision on the GWP at the wastewater treatment plant and the new district heating line, Dessau-Roßlau has positioned itself as a pioneer in climate-friendly heating. Not only is the city already meeting the legal requirements of the WPG, it is also setting standards in planning, financing, and implementation.

The projects are part of a comprehensive transformation plan that will invest 135 million euros in heating supply by 2045. With four heat clusters – Zoberberg Hospital, Industrial Park Waggonbau, Waldsiedlung residential area, and Ziebigk/Siedlung – Dessau-Roßlau will be a model for other cities on how a modern, climate-friendly, and economically viable energy supply can look.