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Heat supply in Lauchhammer: Tenants breathe a sigh of relief – crisis averted!
The heat supply for 700 tenants in Lauchhammer remains secured despite outstanding bills; further measures are planned.
Heat supply in Lauchhammer: Tenants breathe a sigh of relief – crisis averted!
There is a ray of hope for tenants in Lauchhammer: around 700 residents can continue to be supplied with heat after October 31st. There is reason for relief as the landlord Vivet Immobilien GmbH has paid off part of the outstanding debts to the heat supplier Danpower. This additional payment was urgently needed after Danpower had originally threatened to stop providing heat. The missing payments totaled around 70,000 euros, but some of them were paid. Talks to clarify the remaining demands have already begun, assures Mayor Mirko Buhr, who emphasizes the cooperation of all those involved to strengthen the heat supply.
Concerns about heating costs are not just an issue for Lauchhammer. Tenants in Elsterwerda are also affected - 56 households have been without heat supply for three weeks. Mayor Anja Heinrich has already taken legal action against her landlord and is examining the possibility of forming a community of creditors. The city is also seeking support from communities facing similar challenges.
Heat supply and climate protection
The current situation in Lauchhammer illustrates the challenges of municipal heat planning in Germany. According to the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research, heating accounts for over 50% of national energy consumption and is the main driver of CO₂ emissions. The goal is to make the heat supply climate-neutral by 2045. In order to achieve these ambitious goals, coordinated heat planning in cities and communities is essential. From January 1, 2024, all federal states are required to create heat plans, although deadlines vary depending on the size of the municipality.
Further support for tenants
In Lauchhammer there are not only legal steps that have been taken. The Oberspreewald-Lausitz district and the ministries of the interior and infrastructure in Brandenburg have signaled their support. This collaboration is crucial in order to find a sustainable solution to the housing problem and to secure the heat supply in the long term. Tenants are advised to pay their additional costs into a separate account to secure payments to the heat supplier.
Overall, it remains to be seen how the discussions between the parties involved will continue and what measures will be taken to ensure heat supply for all tenants. The focus is not only on solving acute problems, but also on developing long-term strategies that sustainably support the people in Lauchhammer and Elsterwerda.
Further details on the developments in Lauchhammer and the challenges of municipal heat supply can be found here RBB as well as Niederlausitz Current. For the broader context of heat planning in Germany, the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research can be visited BBSR.