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July 14, 2025What can B.C. learn from Denmark’s world-leading approach to sustainable heating? At the virtual Thermal Energy Symposium, co-hosted by the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre and the Royal Consulate General of Denmark in Toronto, experts explored how thermal energy networks can drive climate action and support resilient urban design.
In Denmark, thermal energy networks (TENs) are a cornerstone of urban energy infrastructure. More than 65% of Danish buildings are connected to district energy systems for heating, and in some cases, cooling. In Copenhagen alone, that number rises to 90%, with a mix of historic systems dating back over a century and cutting-edge networks like the Greater Copenhagen Utility Company, HOFOR’s district cooling system leading the way in innovation.
While B.C.’s district energy systems aren’t yet on Denmark’s scale, the region is steadily gaining ground. Legacy systems like Creative Energy’s downtown steam plant is being electrified and a growing number of private and municipally owned networks—many building on the success of Vancouver’s award-winning Neighbourhood Energy Utility—are helping to lead the way. Today, TENs in Metro Vancouver generate an estimated 100,000 MWh of heat annually, the energy equivalent to all B.C. produced renewable natural gas in 2023.
Thermal energy networks in Metro Vancouver. Source: Reshape Strategies
It's no surprise then, that B.C. and Denmark are teaming up to share insights and raise excitement about TENs.
Thermal Energy Symposium
On June 18, 2025, the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC) and the Consulate of Denmark in Toronto co-hosted a virtual symposium that brought together thermal energy experts from both sides of the Atlantic.
The event was more than a technical exchange; it was a comparative case study in how Denmark and B.C. are building out district-level TENs to drive decarbonization, energy resilience, and sustainable urban growth.
Speakers:
- Maria Lind Arlaud, State of Green (Denmark)
- Derek Pope, City of Vancouver
- Malcolm Shield, Wesgroup
- Lars Gullev, Gullev DH Advisory (Denmark)
- Sonja Wilson, Reshape Strategies
- John Rathbone, Rathco
- Moderators: Max Lauretta (Consulate of Denmark in Toronto), George Benson (ZEIC)
While these networks are still growing in B.C.—forecasted to grow 7x within the next decade—Denmark has spent five decades embedding thermal networks into the fabric of its cities.
The symposium provided a chance to reflect on what B.C. is doing well, what challenges remain, and how Danish lessons could help close the gap.
Symposium Summary
Denmark’s Blueprint: How National Planning Drove Local Thermal Energy Success
Maria Lind Arlaud of State of Green kicked off the event by sharing how Denmark scaled its thermal networks through national heat planning, fuel flexibility, and integrated energy systems.
Denmark's thermal energy journey began in response to the 1970’s oil crisis. With a heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels, the Danish government launched a coordinated national effort to shift away from oil toward more resilient and efficient energy systems. Today, roughly 65% of Danish buildings are connected to district heating networks, with urban centres like Copenhagen reaching 90% coverage.
District energy in Denmark isn’t just a climate strategy; it’s also an industrial one. Utilities generally operate as non-profits, and municipalities are empowered with low-cost financing, zoning authority, and clear mandates to prioritize TENs over individual heating systems.
By contrast, B.C.’s approach is more decentralized. Cities like Richmond and Burnaby are advancing thermal networks through utility ownership and zoning tools, however, provincial-level coordination remains limited. There’s no equivalent of Denmark’s Heat Supply Act in B.C., yet.
Copenhill waste-to-energy powerplant in Copehagen, Denmark
B.C.’s Opportunity: Laying the Groundwork for Scalable Thermal Energy
Derek Pope from the City of Vancouver shared insights into how the city’s Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU) is helping to decarbonize the False Creek area.
With Vancouver aiming for 100% renewable heating by 2050, Pope emphasized the importance of integrating building policies, infrastructure planning, and local land-use tools to enable thermal networks.
Still, B.C. municipalities often operate in fragmented policy environments. Unlike Denmark’s nationwide heat maps and municipal planning mandates, B.C. cities have a patchwork of policies and the crucial role of forward-looking internal champions.
That said, innovation is happening. Developers like Wesgroup Properties are deploying systems like River District Energy to serve growing communities. And firms like Rathco ENG and Reshape Strategies are helping municipalities use different digital tools and strategic approaches to advance TENs, and localized heat planning more generally.
Key Differences and Shared Challenges
The event revealed some key contrasts:
- Policy alignment: Denmark’s national-municipal alignment has enabled consistent rollout. In B.C., municipalities lead but lack provincial policy backing.
- Financing: Danish utilities benefit from low-interest municipal loans and non-profit pricing. Both public and private thermal utilities in B.C. can face significant headwinds to get the initial capital in place to get a network started.
- Regulation: Denmark uses mandatory connection rules and zoning overlays to ensure network density. Local governments in B.C. can creatively use the Energy Step Code and zoning tools, but there is no common structure yet and no formal linkage to B.C.’s broader energy policy.
- Digital planning: Danish networks are increasingly digitized with tools like digital twins. Metro Vancouver, BC Hydro, and ZEIC are looking to catalyze similar approaches through a new research project.
Still, both regions face common challenges: coordinating land-use planning with energy infrastructure, balancing electrification and thermal strategies, and ensuring customer affordability.
Where Do We Go from Here?
The symposium was not just about Denmark offering a model to follow. It was also about surfacing the unique advantages B.C. has—like clean electricity and strong local innovation capacity. But scaling thermal networks will require B.C. to clarify provincial goals, unlock financing tools, and coordinate infrastructure planning across jurisdictions.
A follow-up in-person workshop and other events are planned for September, where stakeholders will dive deeper into financing strategies, zoning mechanisms, and community engagement models.
To learn more about ZEIC’s past work on thermal energy networks, see this report from a November delegation visit from New York State.
