Pannon EGTC

On March 5, 2026, a professional awareness-raising event was held the REHEATEAST project led by the Pannon European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, hosted by Pécs District Heating Company Ltd.

The aim of the event was to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the current challenges of district heating services, the opportunities offered by systems based on renewable energy sources, and innovative developments being implemented in the region.

The event was opened by representatives of Pécs District Heating Company Ltd. and the Pannon European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation.

In the first part of the professional program, participants attended presentations on the role and future potential of district heating. The presentation by Pécs District Heating Company Ltd. explained why district heating will remain a key component of urban energy systems in the coming decades. The Hungarian District Heating Association presented the 21st-century challenges facing the Hungarian district heating sector and the development directions of renewable-based district heating. Regional examples included a presentation by Pannon Power Plant Ltd. on the operation of the Pécs biomass power plant, as well as an overview by the Municipality of Bóly on the history and experiences of the geothermal district heating project in Bóly.

During the program, participants also gained practical insights into the operation of district heating systems through an interactive heat center demonstration.

The second section of the event focused on the REHEATEAST project implemented  the Danube Region Programme. The Pannon European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation presented the project’s objectives and results achieved so far, while the National Energy Agency Ltd. introduced an interactive online tool that supports the planning of district heating system developments in Central Europe. The experiences of the Pécs pilot project were also presented, with particular emphasis on modernization and energy efficiency opportunities.

Additional regional initiatives related to the development of renewable district heating were also introduced during the program. The South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency presented the HeatInvest project—aimed at strengthening the heat pump value chain—as well as the GreetGeo project, which examines the role of geothermal energy in the green transition.

Following the professional presentations, participants visited the Pannon Power Plant Ltd., where they took part in a guided tour to learn about biomass-based energy production in Pécs.

The event was attended by teachers and students involved in dual education programs in the region, as well as professionals interested in the district heating sector. The organizers aimed to showcase the future role of sustainable, renewable energy-based district heating systems to both young people and the professional community.

The REHEATEAST project aims to support the modernization of district heating systems in Central Europe and to promote the adoption of energy-efficient and climate-friendly heat supply solutions.

The source of the news is available at this link.