Codema joins forces with European partners to improve financing for district heating and cooling
Codema – along with partners from nine other European regions – has taken part in two international meetings within the DISCO project, focusing on how district heating and cooling (DHC) systems can be developed in a more sustainable and economically-viable way by better using waste heat.
The meetings, held in Aalborg, Denmark (May 2025) and Assen, the Netherlands (December 2025), brought together energy agencies such as Codema, public authorities and regional stakeholders to exchange experiences on economic conditions, financing options and policy frameworks for DHC systems.
Shared challenges across Europe
Discussions showed that many regions face similar barriers when developing district heating and cooling, including high investment costs, limited or fragmented funding schemes and complex support systems. At the same time, partners shared concrete examples of strategies and financing approaches that have helped overcome these challenges in different national and regional contexts.
Interregional learning with local impact
Through workshops, panel discussions and the exchange of good practices, Codema and the other project partners explored how successful approaches can be adapted to different regional conditions. Practical examples helped connect policy discussions with real-world implementation and highlighted the importance of cooperation between energy agencies, public authorities and market actors.
Ireland’s emerging district heating market can play an important role in reducing emissions within the heating sector. However, challenges such as limited funding and the need for coordination can make projects difficult to realise. The discussions within DISCO provide valuable input for addressing these issues.
The exchange within DISCO also highlights new opportunities to strengthen district heating in Ireland through better use of waste heat and improved financing approaches.
The DISCO peer review in Assen was very helpful. Discovering in more details the project and good practice from other partners was very relevant to us and we have already identified some that would support a lot of our local projects. We are very excited to learn as much as we can to replicate some of that work in the best way possible in Ireland.
Arthur Trousseau, Energy System Engineer Next steps for the DISCO project
The insights from the meetings will now feed into the next phase of the DISCO project, where partners work on improving regional policies and creating better conditions for the use of waste heat in district heating and cooling systems.
By sharing experience and working together, DISCO supports Europe’s transition towards more efficient and low-carbon heating and cooling systems.
About the DISCO project
DISCO is an interregional project bringing together 10 European regions to improve policy instruments related to district heating and cooling systems, with a focus on waste heat utilisation. The project is co-financed by Interreg Europe.
For more information
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/disco-project
Arthur Trousseau
Energy System Engineer