To date, only 14% of German households are supplied with district heating, and only around 20% of this is generated from renewable energies. In order to completely decarbonize the heat supply by 2045 as planned, both figures are set to rise sharply over the next few years. However, municipal heating planning, which the federal government has obliged local authorities to do for this reason, presents them with major challenges. This is shown in a comprehensive study published on Monday by the Competence Center for Public Economy, Infrastructure and Services of General Interest at the University of Leipzig in collaboration with the German Association of Cities, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities and several other associations and companies.