The Technical University of Crete, through its School of Mineral Resources Engineering, participates as a project partner in the European LIFE Plan4COLD project, entitled “Supporting Southern European Municipalities in Developing Sustainable Local Heating and Cooling Plans.” The project’s Scientific Coordinator is Assistant Professor Emmanouil Varouchakis.
The project consortium comprises 15 partners from Greece, Italy and Portugal, with the Portuguese Energy Agency (ADENE) acting as project coordinator. Plan4COLD runs for 36 months, from October 2024 to September 2027, and is co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme (LIFE-2023-CET).
The project aims to develop a methodology for preparing Sustainable Local Heating and Cooling Plans (SLHCPs). These plans address the energy needs and infrastructure of local areas, while supporting the transition towards more efficient and sustainable heating and cooling systems. Heating and cooling account for approximately half of the EU’s energy demand and are therefore closely linked to greenhouse-gas emissions and the achievement of Europe’s energy and climate objectives.
Particular emphasis is placed on Southern European countries, where cooling demand is already significant and is expected to increase further as a result of climate change. Plan4COLD supports local and regional authorities in responding to these challenges and in strengthening their capacity for integrated, evidence-based energy planning.
The project also supports the implementation of Article 25(6) of Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on energy efficiency. The provision requires Member States to ensure that local heating and cooling plans are prepared, at a minimum, for municipalities with a population of more than 45,000 inhabitants. It also highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement, public participation, consideration of existing energy infrastructure and cooperation among neighbouring administrative areas.
Within the framework of the project, pilot municipalities in Greece, Italy and Portugal will receive technical support. In Greece, the Region of Crete has been selected as a pilot area, with the Municipalities of Chania and Heraklion receiving support for the development of their respective Sustainable Local Heating and Cooling Plans.
The project is also expected to benefit municipalities across Crete through the development of training and guidance materials for local and regional authorities, as well as through capacity-building activities involving public institutions, relevant stakeholders and professionals in the sector. By promoting knowledge exchange and taking into account the specific socioeconomic characteristics of each area, Plan4COLD will contribute to the development of policy recommendations applicable at local, regional, national and European levels.