Vattenfall assesses ownership of district heating operations

As part of its continuous portfolio evaluation, Vattenfall will investigate future options for its district heating operations in the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands, including potential divestment. This process will also assess future ownership options for the electricity distribution business (IDNO) in the UK.  
 
Vattenfall provides district heating to the equivalent of approximately 550,000 households in multiple European markets. It supplies both B2B and B2C customers in large metropolitan areas. District heating is an important part of the energy transition. It has potential for efficient, cost-effective and flexible large-scale use of low-carbon energy for heating.  
 
The energy transition is essential for society and offers many opportunities for integrated energy companies. However, given the large capital investments required, Vattenfall must prioritise its projects carefully, also taking into account the need for fossil-free electricity generation like wind and nuclear, as well as distribution and storage solutions to meet future energy demands.  
 
After the recent sale of Heat Berlin, Vattenfall is now looking into the remainder of its district heating portfolio. 
 
Vattenfall Heat UK has customers in London, Bristol and Midlothian in Scotland, supplying the equivalent of over 6,000 households, as well as a pipeline of further opportunities. Vattenfall IDNO, the IDNO electricity distribution business, has energised over 50 grid connections for large commercial projects.   
 
Jenny Curtis, Managing Director of Vattenfall Heat UK, said:  
 
“District heating and electrification are fast-moving growth markets and are essential to help meet the UK’s net zero ambitions. There is a significant opportunity for investment in long term, regulated, sustainable infrastructure for the right owner.  
 
“Our commitment to our customers, partners, and employees remains unchanged while the assessment of future ownership options takes place, and we will continue to grow both Vattenfall Heat UK and Vattenfall IDNO in line with existing business plans.” 
 
Vattenfall will remain in the UK, and its onshore and offshore wind businesses are unaffected by this announcement, with operations continuing as normal.  
 
Alexander van Ofwegen, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Customers & Solutions, which includes the heat operations, said: 
 
 “Vattenfall continuously prioritises and weighs investment opportunities to contribute to the energy transition in the best way. There is no doubt that there is a sustainable future for district heating in all three markets and for the electricity distribution business in the UK.  
 
“Our assessed businesses will continue to operate as normal, working alongside our partners in all our markets. This process of assessing the most suitable ownership will take time, and we will provide a further update if there is news to share.” 
 
Vattenfall is committed to the energy transition and will continue to make extensive investments in fossil-free electricity generation, distribution and storage solutions to a total of SEK 170 billion between 2025 and 2029.   
 
Employees in all markets were informed this morning.  

Media enquiries  
Tim Dunford – Director, Vattenfall UK Media Relations: +44 (0)7765 005 793 / tim.dunford@vattenfall.com  
  
Notes to editors  

• For over 15 years, Vattenfall has been a key player in the UK's renewable energy sector. With a dedicated team of around 500 employees, we have expanded our wind and battery storage operations from a single project in 2008 to 13 projects today. For more information visit: Vattenfall in the UK.
•  Vattenfall Heat UK collaborates with developers, local authorities, and housing associations to advance the transition to low-carbon heating. It is building significant district heat networks in London, Midlothian, and Bristol. For more information visit: Vattenfall Heat UK.  
• Vattenfall Networks Ltd is an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) which specialises in providing electrical grid connections for large-scale commercial projects. It has energised over 50 projects since beginning operations in the UK, including 20 projects in 2024 alone. For more information visit: Vattenfall IDNO.