It is an important task in terms of economy, security and supply policy.

In 2022, energy prices came to the fore as Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted supply chains and gas prices rose sharply. Before that, gas prices in Europe had been very stable as imports were based on pipeline gas delivered under long-term contracts through established infrastructure.

After 2022, Europe has replaced pipeline gas from Russia with liquefied natural gas, LNG, where the world market for LNG sets the price on the European gas exchange. In 2026, gas prices will rise again, but this time due to the unrest in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world's LNG passes. 257.000 households still have gas as a source of heating. They are exposed to volatile gas prices when geopolitical developments take hold on the European gas exchange. Consumers with gas as a heating supply will be directly financially affected by developments on the international gas market, regardless of the amount of green gas and the degree of self-sufficiency in the Danish pipeline network.

“The ambition to phase out gas boilers by 2035 is already firmly established. Now the task for a future government is to deliver a plan so that we help customers move on from gas heating and prioritize gas resources where they contribute most to Europe's security of supply.” Says Britt Dam, advisor for Climate and Energy at the Green Transition Denmark.

Choosing a heat source is a decision with great personal financial significance. Therefore, we do not find it reasonable to put citizens with a gas boiler in sight, that gas is a future-proof, stable and cheap heat source. That this is not the case, we saw in 2022, we will see in 2026. We will see this in the future, regardless of the share of green gas and the degree of self-sufficiency. Because gas flows to where people will pay the most for it. And in Danish households, we have good opportunities to replace gas with far less climate-damaging solutions such as district heating and heat pumps.

The excess biogas can be sent south to the common interconnected gas network in Europe; one less gas boiler in Denmark reduces Europe's gas imports and the transfer of money to countries we do not want to support.

The phase-out of gas requires a clear direction

We recommend that the incoming government confirm the ambition to phase out gas in Danish home heating by 2035 and investigate the possibilities of expanding the ambition to also include oil boilers and wood pellet boilers. A concrete plan should be drawn up for the phase-out of gas boilers in Danish homes, which should provide clarity and help motivate gas consumers to choose district heating and heat pumps when replacing their gas boilers.

Let's get clarification and confirm the political agreement to phase out gas boilers in homes, so that we can ensure that Denmark has a future-proof heating supply.

The joint call is made by the Green Transition Denmark, Green Power Denmark, Concito, Danish Business, Synergi, the Consumer Council Think and Danish District Heating.

Also read the invitation below.