In 2024, 83.1% of all heat in district heating (DH) systems was produced in energy-efficient district heating systems, i.e. systems meeting at least one of the criteria defined in Article 50 of the Energy Efficiency Act (ZURE). Compared with 2023, this share decreased by 4.5 percentage points. The combined share of heat from renewable energy sources and waste heat amounted to 20.5% in 2024, which was 0.7 percentage points lower than in the previous year, but 4.8 percentage points higher than in 2016. Among the annual indicative values set out in NECP 2024, only the lowest value, corresponding to the scenario of reaching a 25% share by 2030, was achieved, while the higher annual indicative values were not met. NECP 2024 envisages an accelerated increase in the share of renewable energy sources and waste heat in district heating systems, reaching between 25% and 40% by 2030.

Fossil fuels continued to dominate the fuel mix, accounting for approximately 79% of all fuels used in district heating systems in 2024. Although a large share of heat is produced in energy-efficient district heating systems, GHG emissions from these systems remain high. Their reduction will primarily depend on the continued phase-out of coal and the gradual replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources and waste heat.