What’s Fuelling the Czech Automotive Motor? How the EU Modernisation Fund Subsidized Škoda Energo’s Shift to Forest Biomass
November 5, 2026
The European Union’s Modernisation Fund was established with a clear mandate to help lower-income Member States transition toward climate neutrality by upgrading energy systems, boosting efficiency, and helping recipients withstand the socio-economic shocks of decarbonisation. It is financed by revenue from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) as a way to turn industry’s carbon emission payments into needed capital for Europe’s energy transition. Yet, in the Czech Republic, the actual results of the Modernisation Fund have not advanced the energy transition nearly as far as it needs to be. One of the most glaring examples of this is in the district heating sector.
Vienna’s district heating transition
November 5, 2026
Vienna is one of Europe’s leaders in district heating decarbonisation. Its district heating network, run by the publicly owned utility Wien Energie, covers 35 to 40% of the city’s heat market. In a city of nearly two million people, that makes it one of the biggest district heating systems in Europe, with more than 1,300 kilometres of pipes. However, the system was built over 50 years ago, when coal and gas were the standard. Today, the city is working to decarbonise it through thorough planning and long-term investment in renewable heat sources.
Before the money arrives, the work begins: how Kolašin in Montenegro is preparing for renewable district heating
August 4, 2026
Located below the Bjelasica mountain in northern Montenegro, the town of Kolašin is experiencing a rapid transformation. The expansion of the local ski resort, which attracted around 80,000 visitors during the 2025/2026 winter season, is accelerating tourism growth and new construction. As the town grows, local authorities face a critical challenge – ensuring that new heating infrastructure supports sustainable renewable solutions and avoids locking the town into fossil fuel-based systems for decades.
Serbia’s district heating utilities approaching breaking point due to gas import dependence
July 14, 2026
The current situation among district heating companies in Serbia provides a timely warning for Western Balkan governments still betting on new fossil gas infrastructure. In recent years, these governments have shown renewed interest in building new gas infrastructure. Many projects have been on the table for years, but new schemes are also being actively promoted by the United States.
Waste incineration trends in the Western Balkans: A critical overview of energy and heat generation
April 21, 2026
The following recommendations outline the steps required to advance the decarbonisation of district heating systems, enhance waste management practices and support the development of a truly circular economy.
How a pioneering Slovak town is modernising its district heating system
March 17, 2026
With fossil fuel phase-outs underway across Europe, many municipalities must urgently find ways to replace their coal- or gas-based district heating systems. Several resources are available from the EU to help municipalities plan and execute their energy transitions. One town in Slovakia has used these tools to modernise its own district heating system.
Sofia’s burned lesson: Why the Western Balkans must ditch waste incineration
November 25, 2025
While Western Balkan governments scramble to solve their energy and waste crises by turning to incineration, a clear lesson is emerging from the EU: burning waste is a dead end.
Serbia’s district heating crisis: Gas dependence fuels price volatility
July 1, 2025
Serbia’s district heating sector is facing an unprecedented crisis, driven by an overreliance on imported fossil fuels – particularly fossil gas – and an inability to control energy prices. This dependence puts the sector at a significant risk of collapse in the coming years, threatening the basic heating needs of millions of citizens. It also underscores the urgent need for the Serbian government to diversify the district heating system by integrating sustainable renewable energy sources.
Landmark moment for Berlin’s heating transition: BTB bids farewell to coal
May 26, 2025
On 20 March 2025, Berlin marked a major milestone in its energy transition. Blockheizkraftwerks- Träger- und Betreibergesellschaft mbH (BTB) – one of the city’s district heating suppliers – officially burned coal for the last time at its Schöneweide district heating plant. This decisive step paves the way for a cleaner, smarter, and more collaborative energy future for the German capital – and beyond.
Why the EBRD must end support for primary forest biomass in the Western Balkans
May 7, 2025
This issue paper presents case studies from Bosnia and Herzegovina that highlight how EBRD-backed large-scale biomass projects have faced significant challenges related to sustainability, affordability, and fuel supply.
