In the south-west of Hungary lies Kaposvár, capital of the Somogy region, an area rich in forests and agricultural heritage. When the municipality began exploring clean heating options, biomass district heating emerged as the most natural fit. Today, Kaposvár is integrating tradition with transition.

A long district heating tradition 

Hungary has a long history of district heating, dating back to 1889, when the first network supplied Budapest’s Parliament. Today, 213 systems operate nationwide, modernized to serve more customers with higher efficiency. While fossil gas still dominates, bioenergy now represents the largest renewable source, contributing 12% of total district heating, just ahead of geothermal energy.

The transition to a greener future

Kaposvár is among the first Hungarian cities to commit to replacing fossil fuels with local renewable energy. Supported by Austrian technology from Polytechnik, the city commissioned one of the country’s most advanced biomass heating plants in the early 2020s.

The plant’s two 7.5 MW boilers supply heat to 7,000 homes and 288 buildings, covering up to 85% of the city’s winter demand. The fuel, mainly woodchips and bark, comes from nearby forestry residues, sourced from Hungarian state-owned forests and SEFAG Zrt, a local forest management company.

Local energy, local impact

Kaposvár’s district heating operator has steadily expanded its customer base while keeping prices stable and emissions low. The city is strengthening regional value chains, creating local jobs, and enhancing energy independence, all while keeping its streets warm through the power of its forests. Today, Kaposvár is integrating tradition with transition, proving that the change can start at local level.

Photo © Forró Erika