REPowerEU: Decarbonizing by banning gas boilers and supporting heat pumps
The views of the Presidents of Assoclima and Assotermica following the REPowerEU guidelines for EU decarbonization

REPowerEU, the European Commission's plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition, puts the thermal equipment sector in the spotlight by starting a race to decarbonization.
One of the EU Commission’s proposals for energy saving is the phase-out by 2029 of fossil fuel boilers not assisted by renewables, and their downgrading in energy performance labels.
One section in the proposal has raised concern at Anima Confindustria and its two federated associations, Assoclima and Assotermica, as it requires the "tightening of national requirements for heating systems in existing buildings, by addressing major renovations and boiler replacements and connection to efficient district heating systems in densely populated areas."
At the same time, it advocates the obligation to double the use of heat pumps and install solar panels on all new public, commercial and residential buildings.
This proposal is of course of particular interest to boiler manufacturers, represented by Assotermica. Its President, Alberto Montanini, soon wanted to address its members and reassure them, "First of all, let's make it clear that we are in a guidance phase and further institutional steps will have to be taken. So many things can still change. Then, of course, reducing emissions is a priority for everyone, but really doing it and achieving decarbonization goals will require a multi-technology, multi-energy approach. The principle of diversification of supply sources will have to be mirrored by an equal enhancement of technologies concurring to decarbonization goals."
Understandably, Montanini supports the sector players who in recent years have already had to adapt and take great steps forward in updating the technologies they produce."...we reject an ideological approach that bans gas appliances from the market indiscriminately, without considering that there are entire industrial sectors that have worked and are still working intensely on the development of "green gas ready" technologies, i.e., technologies that can work with increasing blends of biofuels and hydrogen. These technologies are ready or nearly ready for market deployment and can decisively contribute to decarbonization and reduction of pollutant emissions.
In this sense, gas will continue to play an important role in the heating sector for many years to come. Although it will have to be increasingly green in all applications, it cannot be excluded from the energy transition process, either because it may itself become at least partly renewable in the future or because all decarbonization scenarios, even those oriented to electrification, continue to assume a significant use of gas going forward, to support the sustainability of energy systems. We should also consider the growing trend of the market for hybrid appliances, which combine the best performance of combustion and heat pump systems into an intelligent, factory-made solution whose potential is only just beginning."
Luca Binaghi, the President of Assoclima, sees the other side of the coin. The REPowerEU guidelines do not place constraints on the "climate" sector, giving it an increasingly central role.
"The strategy implies clear growth forecasts: 10 million heat pumps installed in the EU in the next 5 years and 30 million by 2030, with Italy becoming one of the leading markets. This scenario will imply a stringent need to ensure consistency between European and national regulations, more rewarding public aid mechanisms for heat pumps, training of professionals, and the enhancement of increasingly smart and flexible technologies able to dialogue with the electricity grid.
Let’s also consider the recent publication of the European Delegated Regulation that defines a method for calculating the amount of renewable energy used for cooling, which can be a further boost to the growth of heat pumps with a view to achieving the 2030 targets."
Both Presidents agreed that this is a decisive decade for the quantum leap to decarbonization. They hope that, after ambitious proclamations and programs, clear and stable rules will follow over time, and are sure that the Italian system can count on the solidity of an internationally outstanding industry.