A historic moment for Poland and Germany: after six years of intensive planning, the construction phase of the transnational district heating project UNITED HEAT was officially launched today (March 31) in the twin European cities of Görlitz/Zgorzelec. With UNITED HEAT, the two cities and their partners are realizing a seminal project that will secure a sustainable heat supply for residents on both sides of the border for generations to come. A ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of the Görlitz wastewater treatment plant marked a powerful statement in favour of the European energy transition, jointly delivered by Stadtwerke Görlitz (SWG AG), a Veolia company, and Polish heat supplier SEC Zgorzelec, a subsidiary of E.ON.
The significance of the undertaking was reflected in the distinguished list of attendees. German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, Undersecretary of State in the Polish Ministry of Energy Konrad Wojnarowski, Minister-President of Saxony Michael Kretschmer, as well as Paweł Gancarz, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, joined Mayors Octavian Ursu (Görlitz) and Rafał Gronicz (Zgorzelec) in marking this milestone in German-Polish cooperation.
A Model Project for Europe
By 2030, both cities will transition their heat generation entirely to renewable energy sources. Technologies to be deployed include solar thermal energy with seasonal storage, heat recovery from lake water and wastewater, biomass boilers, and power-to-heat installations. This transformation will enable annual CO savings of nearly 50,000 tons equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 28,000 passenger vehicles.
By interconnecting the district heating networks both within Görlitz and across the border with Zgorzelec the project will generate synergies that extend climate-friendly district heating to additional households while significantly enhancing security of supply on both sides of the Neisse River.
Statements
Katherina Reiche, German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy
"UNITED HEAT is a striking example of how local authorities can successfully collaborate on heat supply across national borders. To ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable heat supply in the heart of Europe, we are supporting investments on the German side with 81.6 million euros. By linking the German and Polish district heating networks, the heating sector will be decarbonised cost-effectively and our energy security strengthened - creating a modern infrastructure that benefits businesses and consumers in Görlitz and Zgorzelec."
Miłosz Motyka, Polish Minister of Energy
"The integration of Poland's and Germany's district heating systems is a very important step for energy security, but also a symbolic gesture of partnership and our shared responsibility. Thanks to this project, Poland and Germany will be able to jointly ensure stable heat supplies, optimize energy use, and develop low-emission technologies. Cross-border cooperation in the heating sector enables the exchange of knowledge, the implementation of innovations, and the creation of systems that are resilient to fluctuations in the energy market. It is also a model for other countries in our region in terms of building collective resilience. I would like to thank our partners from Germany for their commitment and trust."
Marten Bunnemann, CEO, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions
"Today's groundbreaking is a powerful signal of a collaboration that transcends corporate and even national boundaries. UNITED HEAT is more than another step towards modern heat infrastructure. It is a joint endeavour that stands for a strong European community particularly in times of global uncertainty."
Matthias Block, Chief Executive Officer, Stadtwerke Görlitz AG
"UNITED HEAT is more than an infrastructure project it is a symbol of successful European cooperation and a resolute commitment to decarbonisation, efficiency, and long-term resilience."
Jarosław Grzęda, Deputy Managing Director, SEC Zgorzelec
"At our site in Zgorzelec, we are already constructing a biomass heating plant. In addition, we will commission a solar heating plant with thermal storage and interconnect the district heating networks of both cities. The result will be a system that guarantees residents both security of supply and independence in their heat provision based on renewable energy sources. The people of Zgorzelec can be confident that their heat supply is secured regardless of fuel availability or geopolitical developments."
Martin Ridder, CEO, Energy & Water Division, Veolia
"Sustainable heat supply is one of the central tasks of our time. UNITED HEAT shows how this can be achieved: by deploying an intelligent mix of regional heat generation and state-of-the-art technologies to drive the ecological transformation in an economically viable and affordable way."
From Vision to Reality
After years of intensive planning, UNITED HEAT is now becoming a reality. With today's groundbreaking, construction begins on a total of twelve kilometres of connecting pipeline that will unite two cities, two countries, and two district heating networks into a single integrated system. The European Union-funded project is scheduled for completion by 2030, with approximately 30 experts from several countries working together on its implementation.
About E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions
E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions is a European leader of integrated energy solutions for cities and industries. As a growth segment of the E.ON Group, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions delivers reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions in 14 European countries by combining strong engineering expertise with deep market knowledge. Its service portfolio spans the entire value chain - from planning and construction to the operation and optimization of integrated ecosystems for heating, cooling, and power. www.eon.com
About Stadtwerke Görlitz AG
Stadtwerke Görlitz AG is part of the Veolia Group, the leading international company for environmental services. Through Veolia Environnement Lausitz GmbH, Veolia holds 74.9 per cent of the shares in Stadtwerke Görlitz. The Görlitz municipal utilities supply around 60,000 people in the region with drinking water, electricity, natural gas and district heating as well as managing waste water disposal and city lighting. As a service partner of the Rothenburg/O.L. wastewater association, the municipal utilities are also responsible for treating the wastewater of a further 8,500 residents. In Germany, the Veolia Group also has shareholdings in Stadtwerke Weißwasser, BS|ENERGY Braunschweiger Versorgungs-AG und Co KG, MIDEWA Wasserversorgungsgesellschaft in Mitteldeutschland mbH (based in Merseburg), TVF Waste Solutions GmbH and OTWA Ostthüringer Wasser und Abwasser GmbH (based in Gera). More information at www.stadtwerke-goerlitz.de and www.veolia.de.
About Veolia
Veolia, a global leader in environmental services, works every day to build ecological security for the benefit of public health and the competitiveness of industries and regions. With 215,000 employees across five continents, working closely with local communities, and thanks to its cutting-edge technologies, the group cleans up pollution, reduces carbon emissions, and regenerates resources through concrete solutions that combine its expertise in water and water technologies, waste - including hazardous waste management, and local energy. In 2025, the Veolia group served 110 million people with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced 45 million megawatt hours of energy, and treated 64 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE, Fortune 500, SBF 120) generated consolidated revenue of 44.4 billion in 2025. www.veolia.com. In Germany, Veolia and its affiliated companies employ around 12,000 people at approximately 250 sites. In partnership with local authorities, they serve more than 12 million people. In addition, they provide tailor-made services for private and commercial customers, trade and industry. In its three business segments, Veolia generated annual revenue of 2.8 billion in Germany in 2025. www.veolia.de.
About SEC
SEC Zgorzelec Sp. z o.o. is an energy company operating the district heating in Zgorzelec. A central area of activity is the operation and expansion of the city's district heating system, which constitutes a significant part of the municipal infrastructure of the city.
The system managed by the company includes 7 heat sources, a district heating network with a length of over 26 km, and around 121 heat transfer stations, supplying energy to several hundred consumers, including residential buildings, public institutions, and businesses. The total ordered capacity is over 38 MW, ensuring the supply security and energy security of the local population.
SEC Zgorzelec carries out modernization measures to increase energy efficiency and to reduce pollutant emissions. Key investments include the construction of a modern biomass-fired heating plant, which is ultimately intended to replace conventional, fossil fuel-based sources. The company also participates in international projects and implements solutions for the digitalization of the district heating network, supporting its development towards a sustainable and low-emission energy economy.
SEC Zgorzelec Sp. z o.o. is part of the E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions Polska Group.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by E.ON Group Management and other information currently available to E.ON. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. E.ON SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to align them to future events or developments.
