When we picture Europe’s green transition, we often think of wind turbines on the horizon or solar fields glittering under the sun. Yet the most energy-hungry sector remains largely invisible: heating and cooling.

It accounts for half of the EU’s final energy demand—and more than 70% of that demand is still met with fossil fuels. While the electricity sector has moved rapidly towards renewables, the thermal backbone of our homes, schools, hospitals, and industries remains overwhelmingly tied to natural gas, oil, and coal.

Transitioning these systems from fossil to fossil-free is not just about swapping technologies. It requires rethinking governance, financing, and public trust.

MUSE DHC: A New Model for Clean Heat

The MUSE DHC project, funded under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme, is pioneering a different approach. Instead of one-size-fits-all solutions, it develops community-led, investment-ready district heating systems powered by renewables and waste heat.

Across nine case studies in Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands, municipalities, citizens, and industries are co-designing networks that:

• Harness local renewable resources such as biomass, solar thermal, and industrial waste heat.
• Embed participatory governance so citizens and institutions share both risks and benefits.
• Deliver bankable investment plans that turn policy ambitions into real infrastructure.

The outcome will be more than pilot projects. MUSE DHC is creating a Blueprint for Action that any region in Europe can replicate.

EnGreen’s Role: Turning Analysis into Action

EnGreen contributes by leading the in-depth case study analysis and developing scalable investment plans that bridge local ambition and financial feasibility. 

Our work combines:

• Technical modelling of networks and generation mixes.
• Economic planning that derisks projects for investors.
• Governance design to ensure shared ownership and long-term trust.
• Replication strategies to make each plan adaptable far beyond its original context.

This methodology ensures that district heating is no longer a paper exercise but a credible pathway to implementation.

One of the most compelling MUSE DHC case studies is found in Coggiola, a small mountain municipality in Piedmont’s Val Sessera. With 1,700 inhabitants and a history rooted in the wool industry, Coggiola embodies the challenges and opportunities of Europe’s rural transition.

Today, heating in the town is dominated by natural gas boilers, complemented by firewood and pellet stoves. While about 20% of heat demand is already met by biomass, it relies on outdated technologies with high particulate emissions. Rising gas prices and abundant local forest resources have opened the door to something better.

Coggiola’s vision is clear:

• Develop a 100% biomass-based district heating network, about 2 km long, serving 600 users, including municipal buildings, schools, the health centre, businesses, and residential blocks.
• Replace polluting systems with modern, efficient infrastructure that cuts emissions and stabilises energy costs.
• Valorise local forests not only as an energy resource but as a tool for sustainable land management and hydrogeological risk reduction.
• Use the project to attract new businesses, reduce heating costs for families, and strengthen the town’s appeal as a tourist destination.

The initiative is promoted by the Municipality of Coggiola, with potential involvement from neighbouring towns like Pray and Portula and the Mountain Union of Eastern Biellese Municipalities. Community members will be engaged at every stage, including the financing process—a strong example of how trust and risk-sharing can drive real impact.

For local and national authorities, Coggiola is more than a local success story. It demonstrates how even small municipalities can:

• Unlock EU and national funds by presenting credible, investment-ready plans
• Align with broader strategies for decarbonisation, air quality improvement, and rural development
• Strengthen resilience by reducing dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets
• Build social cohesion through citizen participation and shared ownership models

The replication potential is already visible. Other Biellese towns such as Crevacuore are considering expanding or converting existing networks, while the nearby Valsesia valley is revisiting an ambitious biomass project previously shelved due to low gas prices.

Building a Replicable Model for Europe

Coggiola is just one of the nine MUSE case studies, but it illustrates the essence of the project: local solutions with European relevance. By combining renewable resources, citizen participation, and robust investment planning, MUSE DHC shows how Europe can finally tackle its biggest untapped energy challenge—heating.

For public authorities, this is a turning point. District heating and cooling are no longer niche technologies. They are strategic governance tools that deliver climate goals while supporting economic regeneration and social resilience.

The shift from fossil to fossil-free will not be achieved by technology alone. It requires bold leadership, supportive policy frameworks, and communities willing to take ownership of their energy future.

Coggiola’s case proves that even the smallest towns can lead. And MUSE DHC demonstrates that when municipalities, citizens, and partners work together, they can build heating systems that are not just cleaner—but fairer, smarter, and stronger.

At EnGreen, our commitment is to stand beside governments and communities in this journey—transforming vision into bankable action, and projects into long-term impact.

Because the heat of tomorrow must be renewable, resilient, and rooted in trust.

Visit our project page for more information.