District heating expansion – the city of Zurich continues to rely on outdated heating technology

With a community target of 2000 watts in mind, the city of Zurich intends to significantly expand the district heating network. The heat that is produced in the waste-to-energy plants is distributed in large columns throughout the city and heats the apartments of Zurich residents. The city council plans to connect the districts of Wipkingen, Oberstrass, Unterstrass Aussersihl and the districts of Guggach and Sihlquai to the Hagenholz cogeneration plant by 2040.

Construction work should start early next year. The city council is requesting a total of 330 million Swiss francs for the project. The money has to flow back into the city’s coffers over the years because heat recipients pay for it. In developed regions, it is expected that up to 70 percent of households will join the network.