BARRIERS TO DISTRICT HEATING DEVELOPMENT IN SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
certain but limited support to promotion of district heating business abroad. For example,
Swedish district heating consultants work abroad but it is seldom followed by goods export.
financing the DH value chain
Financing is a large barrier to district heating development. DH systems require large
investments and may have long payback times. The cash flow is negative for a long time during
the establishment of a new DH system. Time horizons are distant, which stresses financers in our
present situation of rapidly changing conditions. Private companies often focus on short-term
profit and public involvement may be necessary for the deployment, modernisation and long-
term development of district heating systems.
District heating is a comprehensive concept for heat from source to consumption. Its strength lies
in maintaining the value chain (Tabel ). This may fit badly in an exaggerated market context
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