Heating: 3-times as expensive – planning security: unaffordable!
The cause is not inflation alone, but above all the continuing rise in the price of CO₂ and higher gas network charges as a result of falling customer numbers.
The Federal Statistical Office confirms this trend with clear figures: between 2019 and 2025, the price of natural gas doubled from 6 to 12 pence/kWh, heating oil rose by 42 per cent to 92 pence per litre, and electricity rose from 29 to 38 pence/kWh – an increase of 31 per cent.
Despite a slight decline in electricity prices, the level remains high – 38 cents per kWh in the first half of 2025.
Electricity prices factor: heat pumps and renewable energies are worthwhile
While fossil fuels are becoming more expensive, a clear countertrend is emerging:
heat pumps are becoming a cost-reducing factor.
Thanks to cheaper electricity procurement, increasing electricity generation from renewable energies and targeted political framework conditions, they will continue to offer the best operating costs in the long term. ‘Better political framework conditions and increasing electricity production from renewable energies are having a cost-reducing effect here,’ according to the co2online forecast.
Local authorities that are already planning heating networks based on large heat pumps or integrating geothermal energy into their supply concepts are gaining a decisive advantage today – both technically and economically. Even smaller local authorities that are now gearing their heating networks towards renewable sources are creating financial predictability and relieving the burden on their budgets in the long term.
Photo: Yassin Hemati/Unsplash
Industrial electricity is available for energy-intensive industries
Industry is also feeling the pressure on prices, albeit under different circumstances. According to the German Economic Institute, industrial electricity prices will have fallen by around 7 cents/kWh in 2025 compared to 2024, but the relief will only be partial. The state-subsidised industrial electricity price is now set to come into effect on 1 January 2026. The aim is to relieve energy-intensive companies in international competition and secure industrial value creation in Europe – especially for energy-intensive industries. For the vast majority of companies, however, efficiency remains the only reliable lever to protect themselves against market volatility and regulatory uncertainty.
Planning is the key to economic stability
This is where the emotional dimension of the energy transition comes into play:
Planning uncertainty is a major problem – a psychological and financial challenge, not a technical one. Those who plan, on the other hand, gain security. Industrial companies that view process and waste heat as a resource gain independence and technological sovereignty.
Photo: Kevin Martin/Unsplash
NOW is the time to act – as a local authority and as an industrial company
The best time to set the course for renewable sources was yesterday – the second best is now.
Now is the right time to bring structure to the future of energy. Forward-looking planning with realistic cost assumptions and regionally adapted technologies creates long-term stability – and gives you the necessary planning security in a volatile market.
goodmen energy GmbH supports local authorities and industrial partners in developing such sustainable heating concepts – from potential analysis and subsidy advice to system planning. Because those who plan efficiently today will not only heat more cheaply tomorrow, but also more confidently and self-sufficiently.
For local authorities, this means that the obligation to plan municipal heating in accordance with the Heat Planning Act is gaining momentum – many local authorities have already drawn up municipal heating plans. Now it's time to get started on implementation! Those who tackle their heating network strategy early on with renewable sources (e.g. waste water heat, geothermal energy, groundwater) and large heat pumps will gain significant room for manoeuvre.
For industry, on the other hand, this means that waste heat and process heat, which have often been underestimated in the past, are becoming a competitive advantage. Those who integrate them into a local or district heating supply with renewable technologies will secure price stability and technological sovereignty. Large heat pumps deliver high-temperature heat and cooling for many application scenarios – fed from renewable sources.
Photo: goodmen energy GmbH
What can we do for YOU?
For local authorities: We draw up heating network plans and reliable technical and cost analyses, identify potential sources and energy savings, analyse consumption and consumers, and advise on subsidies. We implement measures from your municipal heating plan through all service phases. We are available to answer questions in the local council.
For industry: We record your process and waste heat flows, examine possible combinations with renewable heat technology at your location and develop different scenarios with regard to supply, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as well as a multi-stage approach towards CO2 neutrality in order to eliminate price and supply risks.
Planning security does not happen by itself: it is the result of structured analysis, technical expertise and courageous implementation. goodmen energy GmbH accompanies you from the initial analysis to implementation – efficiently, practically and with a view to the future.