Heat pumps in Dortmund
Heat pumps in Dortmund at a glance
Dortmund has prepared the Energienutzungsplan as a basis for municipal heat planning; the final report was submitted to the council for information in March 2026. Municipal heat planning itself is to be completed in summer 2026, within the federal deadline of 30 June 2026, rather than one year earlier as originally intended. The city's Umweltamt manages the process, with DEW21 providing technical support. DEW21 plans a significant expansion of its district heating network in the inner-city area.
There is no separate municipal grant specifically for heat pumps in Dortmund. Owners combine KfW 458 with progres.nrw.
See also: Nationwide basis. KfW 458, GEG and technical minimum requirements apply in Dortmund without restriction.
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Funding in Dortmund
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| KfW 458 (federal funding) | active |
| progres.nrw Klimaschutztechnik | active until 30 June 2027, up to 12.000 EUR ground-source heating in existing buildings |
| DEW21 W heat-pump tariff | active |
| City of Dortmund direct heat-pump funding | not provided for |
Details of KfW 458 can be found in the Nationwide basis.
progres.nrw Bezirksregierung Arnsberg
Application process and responsible bodies
Lower water authority of the City of Dortmund
It is based in the Umweltamt and permits ground-source probes and groundwater heat pumps.
DEW21
DEW21 supplies Dortmund with electricity, gas and district heating. It is the first point of contact for district-heating connections.
Bezirksregierung Arnsberg
Administers the progres.nrw programme.
Status of municipal heat planning
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Launch of the Energienutzungsplan | 2023 |
| Energienutzungsplan submitted to the council for information | March 2026 |
| Planned completion of municipal heat planning | Summer 2026 |
| Federal deadline | 30 June 2026 |
| Climate neutrality target | 2035 |
Local features
DEW21 district heating expansion in the city centre
DEW21 plans a substantial expansion of the district heating network around the city centre. In connected neighbourhoods, district heating becomes the obvious solution.
Industrial character
As a former steel city, Dortmund has numerous brownfield sites where neighbourhood heating networks and large heat pumps are conceivable. The potential analysis also shows considerable opportunities for industrial waste heat and shallow geothermal energy.
Frequently asked questions
Which funding applies to my heat pump in Dortmund?
Above all, the federal KfW 458. funding. In addition, progres.nrw offers up to 12.000 EUR for geothermal energy.
Who approves a geothermal probe in Dortmund?
The lower water authority in the City of Dortmund's Umweltamt.
Does Dortmund have a heat plan?
Municipal heat planning builds on the Energienutzungsplan already developed and is due to be completed in summer 2026, within the federal deadline of 30 June 2026.
Where is DEW21 planning to expand district heating?
In the city centre. The heat plan shows the exact neighbourhoods.