ENABLE DHC (Enabling strategies and investment plans for efficient, multi-energy and digitalised DHC) is a LIFE-EU project focused on developing investment plans to support the switch of district heating and cooling (DHC) networks towards efficient DHC as defined in the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).

By developing 9 case studies of investment plans in 7 countries – Austria, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia, and Ukraine – with very different regulatory, policy, and technical framework conditions. The plans will be developed in close cooperation with the DHC utilities, focusing on digitalisation, assessment of investment risks and sector coupling as distinguishing features. Through a Case Study Assembly, the EU-added value of the cooperation among the DHC operators is ensured. 

The impact of the activities will be enhanced through concrete support to 18 follower case studies,  7 national workshops, 3 Pan-European webinars, 1 mid-term policy workshop, and 1 final event, targeting DHC stakeholders also beyond the project boundaries.

By the end of the project, more than 25 district heating and cooling networks will directly benefit from the work, supporting them in creating sound investment plans for the uptake of renewable energy sources and waste heat recovery.