Communal heat planning: Overcoming the path-dependency of natural gas in residential heating?

To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU must phase out all fossil fuels. Natural gas (NG) accounts for 25% of primary energy consumption of which 40% is used for residential heat. To prevent a lock-in of NG in residential heat, among other things, a long-term strategy for the decommissioning of the two million kilometres long distribution network is needed. Using Ger-many as a case study, this article investigates if communal heat planning is a suitable instrument to overcome path dependencies resulting from NG use in residential heating. In summary, communal heat planning can help to overcome some path dependencies: planning deficit/in-vestment security, access to necessary data, development of personnel capacities and stakeholder participation. However, other institutional, infrastructural, behavioural and discursive path de-pendencies persist. Possible policy measures to interrupt them are outlined. The results of this study provide important insights for other EU countries.