Enercity invests €56 million in 30 MW wastewater-based heat pump for Hanover district heating system
Type: Investment · Technology: Biomass · Country: Germany · Capacity: 30 MW · Value: $65.7M · Announced: 2026-04-22
German utility Enercity AG committed €56 million ($65.7 million) to construct a 30 MW wastewater-based heat pump in Hanover, replacing coal-fired district heating capacity from the Stöcken plant. The system, located at Hanover’s central wastewater treatment plant in the Herrenhausen district, will supply district heating to approximately 13,000 households at a flow temperature of 95°C using treated wastewater as a stable 12–16°C heat source. Enercity is investing alongside €22.5 million in federal funding from Germany’s Federal Funding for Efficient District Heating Networks (BEW) program to support the transition away from coal. The project is part of a broader strategy to expand Hanover’s district heating network from 360 km to 550 km by 2040, aiming to supply climate-neutral heating to 18,000 buildings. Swiss manufacturer Friotherm supplied key components including motors, compressors, and heat exchanger packages, with assembly completed using precision rail-mounted systems to handle components weighing up to 50 tonnes. Expected to generate 130 GWh of district heating annually, the heat pump will cover 7–8% of Hanover’s demand once operational.