Germany is preparing for a significant energy transformation, with more and more cities announcing plans to abandon gas networks. According to a study, 19% of municipal utility companies intend to completely close gas networks, while nearly 46% of local suppliers have not decided whether they will convert infrastructure for biogas. This change will affect millions of households, which will need to adopt alternative heating options, such as heat pumps, with estimated adaptation costs of over 10,000 euros per household.
Cities like Mannheim, Augsburg, and Hannover have set deadlines for disconnecting from gas, with Mannheim planning to close the network by 2035. However, many regions still do not have a clear strategy. Germany has approximately 550,000 kilometers of gas pipelines, and the transition will require a clear legal framework and financial support from the state. The president of the Association of Public Utility Operators (VKU), Ingbert Liebing, emphasizes the need for swift action to provide affordable alternatives for consumers and clarify the situation for SMEs.