The first edition of Heat Pump Technologies, a new event dedicated to heat pump innovation and market development, took place in Milan, Italy last week, highlighting the role of heat pumps in Europe’s energy security and competitiveness.
Organised as a two-day conference and exhibition, the event attracted 116 exhibitors and welcomed over 6,000 visitors. Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the industry - including R&D experts, manufacturers, sales professionals, installers, and policy stakeholders - reflecting both Italy’s local market and the wider European ecosystem.
A key feature of the programme was the involvement of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), which acted as official co-organiser. EHPA hosted a booth and led a dedicated session titled “Heat Pumps Driving Clean Technology and Industrial Growth”. The three-hour discussion covered market trends, European policy developments, and the strategic role of heat pumps in industrial decarbonisation.
“Heat pumps must be at the heart of the Clean Industrial Deal, with clear directives for their development to drive electrification, decarbonisation, and energy security,” said Benedetta Scuderi, MEP (Greens Party, Italy).
Jacopo Tattini, Policy Officer at the European Commission (DG GROW), added: “While heat pumps may not be explicitly named in the Clean Industrial Deal, the strategy includes critical measures to support their growth - from affordable electricity prices to local manufacturing expansion.”
Paul Kenny, Director General of EHPA, underlined the importance of a long-term perspective: “To build a more energy-secure Europe, we must think beyond quick wins - scaling up the workforce, optimising systems, and ensuring stable policies that make heat pumps affordable and accessible.”
The session attracted strong attendance and featured contributions from R&D bodies, industry associations, manufacturers, and European institutions.
Italy’s heat pump sector remains resilient despite recent challenges linked to the Ecobonus scheme. Italian manufacturers reported continued customer interest, reinforcing the country's importance in the European heat pump supply chain.
The successful launch of Heat Pump Technologies has laid the groundwork for future editions, with the next event scheduled for 7–8 April 2027.
The topic of energy security will continue to feature in upcoming industry dialogues, including a European Parliament breakfast on 24 April hosted by MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, and the Decarb Cities conference on 13–14 May in Krakow, Poland.