Strategic Directions for the Heating & Cooling Transition Workshop

The workshop “Strategic Directions for the Heating & Cooling Transition” will take place on 26 February 2026 in Brussels at Comet Meetings – Louise (Pl. Stéphanie 20, 1050 Bruxelles).

The event will explore how new EU rules on district heating and cooling can drive sustainable investment and accelerate the transition towards more efficient and resilient heating and cooling systems across Europe.

The discussion will examine the current and upcoming legislative framework for district heating and cooling, alongside investment trends in the DHC sector. Particular attention will be given to identifying gaps and opportunities within the European policy landscape, and to exploring how EU frameworks can continue supporting sustainable district heating and cooling while accelerating policy transposition across Member States.

The workshop provides an opportunity for policymakers, investors, public authorities, associations, and NGOs to gain deeper insights into the future of the heating and cooling sector and its development in a challenging geopolitical context.

Participants are also invited to join the networking drinks following the event.

Agenda

14:00–14:30 Welcome Coffee
14:30–14:45 Introduction: Welcome, agenda, and project presentation
14:45–15:00 Policy landscape – Keynote by Margot Pinault (DG ENER)

15:00–16:00 Session 1 – The Evolving EU Policy Landscape for Heating & Cooling and national perspectives
Moderator: Pauline Lucas (Euroheat & Power)
Speakers: Joana Fernandes (ADENE), Kaneli Seppänen (Finnish Energy), Nicolas Raimondi (Energy Cities), Johannes Dornberger (AGFW), Vytautas Dziuvė (LSTA)

16:00–16:45 Coffee Break

16:45–17:45 Session 2 – Financing the Transition: Investment attraction, criteria & support
Moderator: Gabriele Pesce (Euroheat & Power)
Speakers: Giulia Conforto (E-think), Thomas Miller (Hamburg Commercial Bank), Ugo Miretti (CINEA), Nicholas Dodd (SEFA)

17:45–18:00 Closing & Next Steps
18:00–20:00 Networking drinks

Please note that changes to the agenda may occur.