Event underscores need for affordable electricity and EU-level heat pump investment.
Accelerating heat pump deployment is a strategic necessity for Europe’s energy security, climate goals, and industrial competitiveness, according to policymakers and industry experts gathered at a European Parliament debate on 24 April. Hosted by MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin and organised by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), the event underscored how clean heating technologies can reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.
Data shared at the debate showed that switching just 7% of European homes from fossil fuel boilers to heat pumps would significantly cut gas imports from Russia. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that heat pumps accounted for nearly 10% of the EU's 60 billion cubic metre reduction in gas imports since 2021. Broader adoption could cut fossil fuel import costs by €60 billion by 2030, according to Łukasz Kolinski, Director for Green Transition and Energy System Integration at the European Commission.
Despite global growth, European heat pump sales fell by 21% in 2024 following ten years of expansion. High electricity prices are a major barrier, discouraging consumers from transitioning to electric heating. EHPA Director General Paul Kenny called for a coordinated EU response: “Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels puts citizens at the mercy of unreliable suppliers and erratic prices. We must shift to strategic energy security via sustainable, home-grown heating solutions. A clear EU-level strategy to accelerate heat pump deployment is essential, alongside electricity pricing reforms that ensure heat pumps are the most competitive option.”
The economic and employment implications of the market downturn were also highlighted. MEP Pellerin-Carlin cited the closure of a heat pump factory in Nantes, France, where 300 workers lost their jobs, as a direct result of slowed demand. He and other speakers urged the EU to implement a long-term investment plan to restore momentum in the sector.
Speakers also pointed to the wider potential of heat pumps to support both heating and cooling—especially as Europe experienced its hottest year on record in 2024. Barbara Priesching, Group Director for Region West at the Vaillant Group, noted: “As a leading manufacturer of heating appliances, we are strongly committed to transforming our business towards heat pumps. With over €2 billion invested in digitisation and R&D, the future lies in integrated systems designed to offer easy, digital solutions to consumers.”
The discussion came as the IEA hosted a separate summit on energy security in London and coincided with new EHPA figures: installing 14 million more heat pumps in Europe could displace 13 billion cubic metres of Russian gas, equivalent to €5.4 billion in avoided import costs.
As the EU pushes toward its REPowerEU goal of 60 million installed heat pumps by 2030, participants stressed that stable policies, affordable electricity, and national-level ambition will be critical to success.