DISCOVER HOW EXERGY X-HEAT®HEAT PUMPS WITH THE IF26 HEAT AUCTION CAN SUPPORT YOUR TRANSITION.
€1 Billion EU Heat Auction: Don’t Leave Your Funding on the Table
Over €600M went unclaimed during the previous IF25 Heat Auction. The new application window open in early December and close in February. Don’t let your opportunity pass by—ensure your facility applies on time.
Industrial companies across Europe face mounting pressure to decarbonise process heat without sacrificing operational efficiency, reliability and competitiveness.
The Innovation Fund IF26 Heat Auction creates a major opportunity to accelerate this transition. With a planned budget of €1 billion, the auction will support projects replacing fossil-based industrial process heat with electrified and renewable heat solutions.
The time to act is now—prepare to secure funding for your plant’s decarbonization transition and ensure your project doesn’t fall behind before the window shuts.
Why the IF26 Heat Auction Matters for Industry
The IF26 Heat Auction is designed to help close the economic gap between conventional fossil-based heat generation and cleaner alternatives by rewarding projects that can deliver cost-effective and measurable CO₂ reductions.
Projects compete based on the support required per tonne of direct CO₂ avoided.
Successful projects can receive an output-based fixed premium for up to five years, linked to demonstrated process heat production and CO₂ abatement.
For industrial operators, the IF26 Heat Auction offers an opportunity to strengthen the business case for industrial heat decarbonisation.
€1 BILLION
Planned IF26 Heat Auction budget.
5 YEARS
Maximum support period after Entry into Operation.
+25% BID BONUS
For qualifying projects, including heat pumps achieving COP ≥1.5.
FROM 80°C
New opportunities for lower-temperature industrial process heat.
Which IF26 Temperature Basket Could Fit Your Heat Pump Project?
LOW TEMPERATURE
80–100°C
Budget: €100 million
Minimum project size: >5 MWth
Ceiling price: €400/tCO₂
A dedicated funding stream strictly reserved for high-performance industrial heat pumps. By sheltering high-COP systems (COP ≥ 1.5) from competition with other thermal technologies, this track maximizes your project’s winning potential.
Backed by Exergy’s 20 years of expertise in thermal energy systems, a proven 600 MWe portfolio in industrial decarbonisation, and field-tested, market-ready heat pump solutions in this temperature range, we deliver reliable, high-efficiency solutions for your project.
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
100–400°C
Budget: €600 million
Minimum project size: >3 MWth
Ceiling price: €400/tCO₂
A broad range of industrial electrification technologies can participate in this category, creating significant opportunities for high-temperature heat pumps and steam generation.
Exergy is the only provider with real-world, operating reference installations at the ~3 MWth scale, seamlessly integrating industrial heat pumps with MVR technology for high-efficiency steam production.
Could Your Plant Benefit from This Opportunity?
Your plant may be a good candidate if you have:
✓ Recoverable waste heat from an industrial process
✓ A continuous demand for hot water, process heat or steam
✓ Thermal requirements from approximately 80°C upwards
✓ High consumption of natural gas or other fossil fuels for heat generation
✓ A project size compatible with the relevant IF26 temperature basket
The key question is: “Can my heat demand and unused thermal energy become a competitive IF26 project?”
Exergy is here to help you navigate the process—from initial feasibility assessments and application support, to guiding you through the complex preparation and submission of all necessary technical documentation for the IF Heat Auction.
Exergy also provide full lifecycle support: from technical scoping, custom engineering (cycle design, fluid selection and equipment configuration—to seamless integration, commissioning, and long-term after-sale service.
Start Now Assessing if your Waste Heat Qualify for IF26 Funding
You don’t need a complete project to start the conversation.
If you have a potentially recoverable heat stream, share some basic process information with us:
- waste-heat source
- waste-heat temperature
- required process-heat or steam temperature
- required thermal capacity
- annual operating hours
- current heat-generation technology and fuel
Reach out directly to our Industrial Heat Pump Team:
Matteo Cameletti
Sales Manager Heat Pumps
Mail m.cameletti@exergyint.com
Mobile: (+39) 389 2983711
