District heating in Ireland

What is district heating?

District heating is a system that takes heat generated in a central location and distributes it in the form of heated water through insulated pipes to provide warmth and hot water to homes and businesses. District heating providers control and operate the heat provided to make sure it operates efficiently and maintains optimal temperature and pressure for consumers.

The versatility of district heating lies in its ability to utilise various heat sources. By using renewable energy and waste heat, it is ideally positioned to achieve fast and large-scale decarbonisation of built environments.

Once established, a district heating system can continuously integrate new sources of heat.

District heating across Europe

District heating has been crucial in transforming cities like Copenhagen into some of the world's most sustainable urban areas.

In an episode of the 180 Degrees podcast, we discuss the plans to develop district heating projects across Ireland’s towns and cities and look at our European neighbours who are leading the way.

The positive impact of district heating

Explore the advantages of district heating as a key contributor to decarbonisation and cost-efficient heating in Ireland.

Decarbonisation of heating

District heating can supply up to 54% of Ireland's building heating needs, offering a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

Transitioning to district heating plays a crucial role in slashing CO2 emissions within the heating sector, propelling Ireland toward its net-zero goals by 2050​.

Aligning with EU directives for energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, district heating helps Ireland meet its European commitments and improve its energy sustainability​.

Cost-saving

District heating can reduce energy use and offers a low cost, low carbon heating solution. It achieves this by using centralised heat sources and generating heat more efficiently.

Maintenance and repairs are managed by a single entity, which can be more cost-effective than maintaining individual systems separately.

Renewable energy integration

District heating utilises local and renewable heat sources, including waste heat from industrial processes, data centres, bioenergy and heat pumps. Using renewable and local sources reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and boosts Ireland's energy security.

Renewables can help to stabilise the power grid by using that extra renewable energy to generate heat that can be stored and used later. This process balances the energy supply, especially when renewable sources are inconsistent.

Social and environmental benefits

Replacing individual fossil fuel-based heating systems with district heating reduces local air pollutants and emissions. This change benefits local air quality and public health while also increasing local employment opportunities in the construction and maintenance industries.

District heating project stages

Understand the phases of a district heating project and download our guide to support project sponsors through the feasibility study process.