A new European Union-funded support project for the European Technology and Innovation Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC-ETIP) launched in March 2026. The two-year initiative is intended to strengthen the platform’s work and support a concrete, targeted and forward-looking strategy to speed up the transition to 100% renewable heating and cooling in Europe by 2050.
The secretariat is led by EUREC, Solar Heat Europe, EGEC Geothermal, Euroheat&Power, European Heat Pump Association and WIP Renewable Energies. According to the announcement, it supports RHC-ETIP by organising meetings, events and consultations, and by preparing technical and policy documents. The secretariat also acts as a link between RHC-ETIP and the European Commission.
The project covers stakeholders across biomass, geothermal, solar thermal, heat pumps, district heating and cooling, and thermal storage. Since 2009, the secretariat has provided input to the SET Plan and remains involved in its revamp and governance restructuring. It also continues supporting the SET Plan through an update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
RHC-ETIP said the heating and cooling sector accounts for nearly half of the EU’s energy use. In its response to the Heating and Cooling Strategy consultation, the platform called for more research and development, support for market uptake, and the integration of innovative solutions into national and regional planning. It also pointed to the need for local heating and cooling strategies, reporting, planning and infrastructure development in Member States.
Marco Calderoni, Chair of the RHC-ETIP Board at R2M Solution, said: “In my role of RHC-ETIP Chairman, I welcome the renewed support from the experienced team led by EUREC. In the current context, marked by uncertainty in fossil fuel supply and the ongoing revision of the heating and cooling strategy, continuity is essential for our platform.”
