Nordic and Baltic perspectives on achieving renewable heating and cooling – A roundtable
Online, September 25, 2025 — The European Technology and Innovation Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC-ETIP) hosted a dynamic regional roundtable exploring Nordic and Baltic strategies for decarbonising the heating and cooling sector. The event, co-organised by EGEC and EUREC, brought together experts from across the region to share insights, innovations, and technology developments driving the energy transition.
Supporting strategic collaboration and funding opportunities
Andrej Misech (EUREC) opened with an overview of the RHC-ETIP platform, highlighting its role in shaping EU research and innovation R&I agendas. He introduced tools such as the RHC Projects Database, the RHC Accelerator, and a comprehensive funding schemes repository. These resources aim to bridge the gap between research and market deployment, offering stakeholders access to national and EU-level funding opportunities.
Electrification Trends in the Nordic Power Market
Alexander Esser (Aurora Energy Research) presented a detailed outlook on the Nordic electricity market, emphasizing the growing role of electrification in heating. He noted a surge in large-scale electric boilers in Finland, driven by policy incentives and the phase-out of Russian biomass. Alexander forecasted increased electricity demand from heat, transport, hydrogen, and AI-powered data centers, with prices expected to stabilize and converge across the region by the 2030s.
Solar Hybrid Innovation: PVT Panels in Action
Marcus Kanewoff (DualSun Nordic) showcased Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) panels as a game-changing technology for maximizing rooftop energy yield. Combining electricity and heat generation, PVT panels offer up to six times more energy output than standard PV. Marcus highlighted successful integrations with heat pumps and geothermal systems in Sweden and Norway, demonstrating significant energy savings and improved building energy labels.
Estonia’s Medium-Deep Geothermal Breakthrough
Helena Gailan (Geological Survey of Estonia) shared results from Estonia’s first medium-deep geothermal pilot projects, including a 505-meter borehole in Tallinn. These systems achieved up to 77% heat coverage and reduced heating costs by 60% compared to district heating. Gailan emphasized the potential of geothermal in densely populated areas and the importance of long-term performance monitoring.
Norway’s Heat Pump Leadership
Rolf Iver Mytting Hagemoen (Norwegian Heat Pump Association) highlighted Norway’s position as a European leader in heat pump adoption. With over 1.9 million units sold, heat pumps are central to Norway’s electrification strategy. Rolf stressed the importance of skilled installers, predictable policies, and CO₂ taxation in driving market growth, especially for ground-source systems in large buildings.
Denmark’s District Heating Expansion
Birger Lauersen (Danish District Heating Association) detailed Denmark’s strategic heat planning and district heating dominance, covering 95% of multi-unit buildings. He outlined the sector’s shift toward electrification, with 1.7 GW of electric boilers and 500 MW of heat pumps already installed. Birger called for continued innovation in piping systems, business models, and integration with electricity markets to ensure long-term sustainability.
Conclusion:
The roundtable underscored the importance of regional knowledge sharing, policy alignment, and technological innovation in achieving Europe's renewable heating and cooling goals. With strong momentum across the Nordics and Baltics, the transition to clean, efficient, and resilient energy systems is well underway.
The recording of the webinar is available here and you can download the presentations here.
