From Idea to Project Proposal – Local Efforts in Middelfart

Middelfart Municipality has played a central role in promoting termonet as a realistic and collective heating solution. The municipality participated in the consultation process on the Heat Supply Act, highlighting the need to ensure legal authority and access to financing through KommuneKredit. Together with the heating group in Fjelsted-Harndrup, which later became an amba cooperative, the municipality organised public meetings and workshops to secure local support and ownership. The municipality also entered into dialogue with KommuneKredit about financing options, before it was decided that termonet would not be included under the Heat Supply Act.

Follow-up: The Project was not realised

Although the Fjelsted-Harndrup project was ready for political approval in Middelfart City Council, the citizens chose to withdraw. They felt they lacked sufficient technical expertise, as well as knowledge about operation and finances, and instead wanted a district heating company to take over the project. This became the basis for meetings organised by Dansk Fjernvarme under COHEAT to raise awareness of the Fjelsted-Harndrup project and termonet as a technology. The process shows that even with strong local support and solid technical groundwork, there is a need for secure and professional business models.

 Results and Impact

Although termonet was not included in the Heat Supply Act, the effort has had significant impact. Termonet has been highlighted as a serious solution in the green heating transition. The debate has sparked professional and political dialogue, and the project has inspired other municipalities to consider similar solutions. Fjelsted-Harndrup has contributed concrete lessons that future projects can build upon.

This case shows how local action can have national significance. The combination of a concrete project proposal and targeted political advocacy created a strong horizontal process linking practice, legislation, and strategy. It underlines that technological innovation also requires political and organisational readiness – and that legal and financial frameworks must keep pace if citizen-driven solutions are to succeed in practice.