The municipality of Iffeldorf does not want to wait any longer to start municipal heat planning. She is now starting the preparatory work, even if there is no federal funding for the planning. The community is pushing the pace in order to create clarity for the people of Iffeldorf.
Iffeldorf – Heat planning is about municipalities creating a tailor-made supply concept. This could, for example, be a local or district heating network, as is being partially implemented in Penzberg. Such a network can be created for an entire municipal area or for parts of it. Neighborhood solutions and village heating that only supply a certain area are conceivable, which Andreas Scharli from the Energiewende Oberland (EWO) in Iffeldorf believes is conceivable, as he explained at the citizens' meeting a year and a half ago. Once a municipal heating plan has been drawn up, owners can see from it what supply is or is not planned in their area and what options there are for them in the future - which is important information if, for example, the decision has to be made about their own heating to renew.
The federal government's budget crisis intervened
The municipality of Iffeldorf had actually wanted to start heat planning much earlier. Last fall it was said that the municipality of Seeshaupt was looking for a good office. However, the federal government's budget crisis intervened with its consequences for funding.
Mayor Hans Lang (SPD) reported at the most recent municipal council meeting that they were about to place the order. But then the funding, which made up 90 percent of the planning costs, was canceled. The decision was then postponed until February in the hope that there would be clarity about federal funding by then. But that didn't happen. In the meantime, says Lang, the Bavarian state government has announced that it would support 50 percent, but has not specified this further.
Mayor: The wait must end
The wait must now come to an end, explained the mayor. He suggested that the local council instruct the administration to start municipal heating planning now, “regardless of whether there is funding at some point or not”. According to Lang, initial discussions with offices had shown that Iffeldorf would have to expect costs of 15,000 to 20,000 euros for the planning. “Of course it would have been nice if we could have received the 90 percent funding,” said the mayor. “But what are we waiting for?” he asked.
Important findings for the population
Heat planning provides important insights for your own municipal buildings, but also for each individual household in the village, said Lang. Many people would be waiting for answers to the questions of whether or not something central is coming to their own settlement or street and whether they need to look for an individual solution to the energy issue. He also assured that until the last minute before the order was placed with an office, it would be checked whether there would be subsidies for the planning costs.
Results should be available at the end of 2024
The proposal was approved by the local council. It is “absolutely necessary” because citizens need planning security, said Ria Markowski (PWG). Stefan Gleiter (SPD) made similar comments. It is extremely important to get involved so that citizens know where the path is leading. If you wait any longer, it could become even more expensive, he said. Wolfgang Thevessen (CSU) confirmed that many residents would ask whether there is already something. In Iffeldorf, many older buildings will need to have their heating system replaced in the next few years.
According to the mayor, the tenor in the Energy Working Group is to stop waiting because people need guidance. The local council agreed unanimously. The administration is now preparing to award the contract for the April meeting. According to one estimate, results should be available by the end of 2024.