The European Commission has officially abandoned its Heat Pump Action Plan, initially announced in 2023. The initiative aimed to accelerate the deployment of efficient heat pumps in buildings, industry, and local heat networks as part of the EU Green Deal and REPowerEU objectives. Despite strong support from a majority of EU Member States, over 60 industry CEOs, and civil society organisations, the initiative has now been formally discontinued.
The Heat Pump Action Plan outlined four main areas of action: partnerships between the Commission, EU countries and industry (including research and innovation), targeted communication and a skills partnership, legislation on ecodesign and energy labelling, and access to financing. Public feedback on the plan was collected through two consultation periods in 2023, receiving 137 responses, including from sector associations such as GCP Europe and EURIMA.
The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) expressed disappointment at the cancellation and called for critical elements of the scrapped initiative to be included in upcoming EU strategies such as the Heating and Cooling Strategy and the Electrification Action Plan.
“These are part of the European Commission’s energy security framework, and there is nothing more secure than a heat pump powered by locally produced clean energy,” said Paul Kenny, Director General of EHPA.
EHPA stressed the need to make switching to heat pumps affordable both upfront and during use, by addressing subsidies and energy taxation. The association also called for clear long-term policies, including targets and enforcement, to ensure investment stability and market planning.
Additionally, EHPA highlighted the potential of heat pumps to reduce electricity grid costs through flexibility, urging stronger consumer incentives. For industry, the association recommended making heat pumps and waste heat recovery the default solution for processes under 200°C.
Kenny added: “If the European Commission supports the faster rollout of heat pumps in this way in its upcoming plans, it will boost the benefits for Europe – greater energy security, clean tech leadership, local jobs, decarbonisation of buildings and industry – as was the intention of the cancelled EU Heat Pump Action Plan.”
EHPA remains engaged through the European Commission’s Heat Pump Accelerator Platform, which most recently convened last week.
