In the heart of Transylvania, the town of Odorheiu Secuiesc is showing how the energy transition can start at the community level, with local resources and a clear vision.

With support from the European City Facility (EUCF), the municipality is developing an ambitious plan for a hybrid district heating network where biomass and solar energy work together to provide clean, reliable warmth for its citizens.

The transformation has been years in the making. The local operator URBANA SA began replacing fossil fuels more than a decade ago, gradually installing wood-chip boilers across the city. Today, much of Odorheiu Secuiesc’s heating already comes from locally sourced biomass, reducing emissions while supporting the regional forestry and wood industries.

The next step is the Taberei district, where a new hybrid system will combine solar collectors, biomass boilers, and heat storage to supply over 1,500 homes. The concept is simple: solar energy covers sunny days, biomass takes over in winter, and storage keeps the system balanced year-round.

Beyond technology, this project means jobs, cleaner air, and stronger local value chains. It shows how small cities can take big steps towards energy independence, using what they already have, sunlight, forests, and community will.

Odorheiu Secuiesc’s story is a reminder that the path to Europe’s green future often begins in places where people know how to work together for change.