Heat transition in Lörrach: future strategies for clean energies discussed

Heat transition in Lörrach: future strategies for clean energies discussed

This year's regional heat summit in the Lörrach district took place in the Roche Fritz building in Grenzach-Wyhlen. On November 24, 2025, the relationship between climate and energy policy was examined intensively, particularly through the inter-municipal expansion of heating networks. In addition to experts, numerous political representatives were also present at the event, including Thekla Walker, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Sector in Baden-Württemberg.

One of the central topics was the presentation of the results of a comprehensive feasibility study for the High Rhine-Upper Rhine-Wiesental heating network. This study shows promising suitability areas, including the cities of Lörrach, Rheinfelden, Weil am Rhein, Schopfheim, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Steinen and Maulburg, as well as potential heat sources such as biomass, excess waste heat from industry and geothermal energy. What is particularly noteworthy is that Rheinfelden and Grenzach-Wyhlen could derive significant benefits from the use of waste heat, while geothermal energy potential is being explored in Weil am Rhein.

Heat transition as an investment for the future

The heating transition is seen as a central investment in the future in order to achieve greater independence from individual markets or raw material sources. By coupling the energy systems, a more resilient energy supply should be created. Planned measures for this include densifying the heating network, building an energy center in the Middle Wiesental and the targeted use of waste heat, especially at companies like Evonik. The exploration for a possible geothermal power plant and a planned ring connection with neighboring Riehen are also part of the project.

Evelyn Rubli, who reported from the intercommunal heat associations, announced that the gas network in Basel will be shut down by 2038 and 70% of households will then be supplied via district heating. This illustrates how important regional cooperation and participation in the heating transition are. In this context, Environment Minister Walker emphasized the need for reliable framework conditions for financing the heat transition.

Dialogue on the heat transition

The discussion about connection requirements for district heating supply and the definition of a clear timeline for phasing out gas were key points at the summit. Lörrach's mayor Jörg Lutz highlighted the important opportunities for the district and underlined the importance of networks and partnerships for the successful implementation of the heating transition. Tim Brauckmüller from Aconium warned not to delay the project in order to avoid unnecessary costs.

The event marks a further step in the long-term planning and implementation of the heat transition, which began in a kickoff meeting on January 21, 2021. Numerous specialist work and advisory board meetings have now taken place, which form the basis for the upcoming measures. District Administrator Marion Dammann concluded by emphasizing that it is particularly important to convince the population of the advantages of this transformation and to actively involve them in the process. The development of intermunicipal energy communities shows how extensive cooperation can be expanded here and how essential it is for the region's energy and climate goals.

Further information on the heat transition in the Lörrach district can be found on the website of schwarzwaelder-bote, loerrach-landkreis and klimapakt2030plus.