On the path to a cleaner heating system in Celje

Celje is the fourth-largest city in Slovenia, with a population of around 50 000 inhabitants. The city is considered an important production and transport hub in the region, and they are committed to being more sustainable and reducing their GHG emissions. The heating sector plays an essential role in this green transition, and as such, Celje is currently developing a plan for its district heating system. 

Cleaner air in Celje

Detoxifying the heating sector is crucial for Celje, as reducing the usage of fossil fuels for heating will significantly lower CO2 emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment in the city. Additionally, transitioning to cleaner district heating with local energy sources will leads to local economic growth by creating jobs, while providing energy security and reducing dependence on the volatile fossil fuel markets. This will enhance community resilience by ensuring energy security during crises and mitigating the long-term effects of climate change. 

Celje is currently developing an operational plan for the modernisation and decarbonisation of its district heating system. The new sustainable district heating and cooling plan is set to be complete by the end of 2025 and will guide the city’s efforts in reducing energy consumption and increasing renewable energy usage. 

Improve energy efficiency 

Connecting new buildings to the district heating grid will significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. Additionally, the plan will incorporate various renewable energy sources into the network, such as heat pumps, thermo-solar fields or geothermal energy to provide sustainable heating solutions. Currently, the primary heat source is a waste incineration plant, which supplies approximately 70% of the energy needs. 

By utilising available waste heat and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the district heating system will contribute to a more sustainable and economically stable community. 

^{Celje DH map © City of Celje}

^{Installation of a heat storage tank and expansion of the existing district heating network © City of Celje} 

Main challenges to detoxify heat and next steps

1. The expansion of the existing district heating network poses a big challenge due to the high financial resources that need to be secured.
2. The city also aims to install a heat storage tank, which requires more financial resources. Currently, there are no available co-financing opportunities for such projects.
3. A technical challenge is the one related to the inclusion of new heat sources from renewable energy sources and waste heat, to meet the objectives to come in the new plan 

Where is Celje in its heat strategy
 

Celje Heat Detox

Heat key figures

• Emissions related to heating: 2,750 tCO₂
• Km of DHC currently: 25.8 km
• Km of DHC planned: 2.2 km
• Percentage of renewables in heating system: 39%
• Other interesting figures: 57,351 MWh of thermal energy were supplied through the district heating system in 2024 

Covenant Figures

• Signatory to the Covenant of Mayors since:  2013
• Emission reduction ambitions:  

% GHG emissions reductions by 2030: 30% 

% GHG emissions reductions by 2050: 50%