Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 day ago
More than a third of German utilities plan to close some gas networks
A survey found that 38% of German municipal utilities plan to close all or part of their gas networks in the coming years.
The plans are part of Germany’s effort to become climate-neutral by 2045 and replace heating with oil and natural gas.
Another 38% have not decided what to do with their networks.
Half of the utilities said they plan to rely on a mix of heat pumps and district heating.
Some intend to keep gas networks and supply them with lower-emission gases, though only 17% plan to offer green gases in some form.
Utilities say they need clearer government rules to plan changes and invest in new infrastructure.
The VKU, which represents municipal utilities, is calling for a strategy for green gases and changes to energy and heating laws.
A survey found that 38 percent of German municipal utilities plan to shut down all or part of their gas networks in the coming years.
The survey found that 13 percent plan to close their networks completely and 25 percent plan a partial closure.
Another 38 percent of utilities have not decided what to do with their gas networks.
Half of the utilities surveyed plan to rely on a mix of heat pumps and district heating.
VKU chief executive Ingbert Liebing said utilities need clearer government rules to plan infrastructure changes and invest in the transition to cleaner heating.
- Who
- German municipal utilities, also known as Stadtwerke.
- What
- A survey found that 38 percent plan to shut down all or part of their gas networks.
- When
- In the coming years; the survey was reported on November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Utilities are preparing for a transition away from oil and natural gas heating as Germany aims to become climate-neutral by 2045.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cities including Hannover, Mannheim and Stuttgart announced plans to exit gas networks.
Reports on a VKU survey said 38 percent of German municipal utilities plan to close all or part of their gas networks.
- Full closure plans
- 13 percent of municipal utilities
- Partial closure plans
- 25 percent of municipal utilities
- Undecided
- 38 percent of municipal utilities
- Planned heating mix
- 50 percent of utilities plan to use heat pumps and district heating
- Climate-neutrality target
- Germany aims to reach it by 2045
3 sources
What people are saying
Here we need clarity as soon as possible.
Only if the government can expand the supply of green gases, including by opening up additional import options, will heating with green gases be affordable on a broad scale.