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Heat supply in the Berlin metropolitan area

All major cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants are required, under the provisions of the Heat Planning Act (WPG), to submit a heat plan by 30 June 2026.

Berlin, too, is drawing up a comprehensive municipal heat plan within this framework. As Berlin’s electricity network operator, we are involved in drawing up the heating plan and, in particular, highlight the challenges for the electricity grid arising from the transformation of the heating supply.

In urban areas where centralised heating via district heating networks is not possible, decentralised heat pumps can provide climate-neutral heating for buildings.

Heat pumps as a heating solution

A basic distinction is made between the following technologies:

  • Air-source heat pumps (Luftwärmepumpe) – use outdoor air as a heat source (e.g. air-to-water and air-to-air)
  • Ground-source heat pumps (Erdwärmepumpe) – harness the constant heat from the ground.

On the illustration you see different heat pump solutions: One air-source heat pump on the left, followed by three ground-source heat pump solutions.

A stylized illustration of various types of heat pumps.

To find out which solution is best suited to your building, please speak to your energy adviser or a specialist installation company.

Registration process for the heat pump connection

If you have decided on a heat pump or are planning to have one installed, it is important to register at an early stage via our customer portal. 

Once we have received your enquiry via our customer portal, we will check whether our electricity network at the site is sufficiently dimensioned (grid compatibility check) or whether any adjustments are required.

By providing complete details, you can avoid the need for follow-up enquiries, speed up the assessment process and ensure planning certainty – both for yourself and for our network operations.

The following technical informations are important when registering:

  • Intended use of the heat pump (heating only, or heating and domestic hot water)
  • Technical data sheet for the specific heat pump installed (model clearly identified)
  • Maximum electrical power consumption (not the heating output) 
  • Start-up current / peak current Number of heat pumps and, where applicable, cascade or split configuration
  • Details of supplementary electric heating systems (number, output, integration – including in the storage tank)

Note on the controllability of heat pumps

Heat pumps are classified as controllable consumption appliances in accordance with Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG). These must be registered separately. By registering them, you will not only benefit from a grid connection that complies with the regulations, but also from reduced grid charges and financial benefits. You can find further information on this on our page on controllable consumption devices.

Local heating planning

The State of Berlin’s municipal heat planning initiative provides an initial overview of the options for heat supply at your location via the Wärmewende website.