"We need to drive forward the energy and heating transition actively and at speed. This has long been the case in the district of Ludwigsburg. Fossil energy sources have been replaced by renewables at various levels. In the heating sector in particular, we have succeeded in creating the necessary infrastructure to enable a climate-friendly energy supply across the board. This means that important steps have been taken on the challenging path towards climate neutrality," said Minister Walker. District Administrator Allgaier also believes that the district of Ludwigsburg is on the right track when it comes to climate protection: "This is demonstrated by the solar thermal system 'solar heat grid' and the Tammer heating network, as well as the Ludwigsburg District Energy Agency (LEA) and our climate mobility plan, which we are the first district in Baden-Württemberg to draw up," said District Administrator Allgaier. "We are delighted that Minister Thekla Walker was able to see our projects for herself. After all, our aim is to intensify the exchange between the state and district in terms of climate protection."
Ludwigsburg district administration has made climate protection its mission
The district administration itself also has a clear goal in mind: "We want to be climate-neutral by 2035 and thus become a pioneer in climate protection as a district office." Julia Neuhäuser, climate protection manager at the Ludwigsburg district office, explained what lies behind this goal at the mayors' meeting, which took place on the occasion of Minister Walker's visit: the district will continue to expand photovoltaics on the roofs of its buildings. In addition, the "Parking and Charging" project now provides many parking spaces with 3.7-kilowatt wall boxes directly at the district hall. Electricity can be charged there free of charge. Only the usual parking fee is charged. Both the residents of Oststadt and the employees of the district administration office benefit from this offer. Within the administration, there are climate pilots in the specialist departments and a bicycle mileage allowance for employees who cycle to work. This year, the district was awarded the European Energy Award for the first time for its commitment to climate protection.
International municipal climate forum planned for March 2024
In his welcome address, District Administrator Allgaier had already announced that a major international climate forum is planned from March 6 to 8 next year. "Successful climate protection needs strong partnerships. That is why we are inviting our partner regions from all over the world as well as our municipalities from the district and their partner cities and communities to the district hall in Ludwigsburg under the motto 'Partnerships for climate action'." The climate forum is intended to promote exchange and focus on mutual learning. It is also about encouraging cooperation for climate protection.
Where does the district stand in the energy and heat transition?
After the climate-neutral administration, the focus shifted to the entire district of Ludwigsburg. Climate protection manager Neuhäuser explained the status quo in the area of the energy and heating transition. The expansion of renewable energies has been gaining momentum since this year thanks to the new EEG and the partial update of the regional plan. Nevertheless, the heating transition is the key challenge for the coming years, said Neuhäuser. At municipal level, the structures for implementing the heating transition must be established as quickly as possible. This is particularly difficult for small municipalities, as there are no municipal utilities there. "Here we need support from the state and close agreements so that the municipal heating plans can also be implemented." The mayors of the municipalities then reported on their experiences and challenges with renewable energy projects. The district is planning to set up a climate coordination office to support the municipalities in strategically anchoring climate protection in their own organizations.
The mayors' meeting took place on the premises of Kreissparkasse Ludwigsburg. At the beginning of the meeting, the bank's CEO, Dr. Heinz-Werner Schulte, explained the Kreissparkasse's sustainability strategy.
Minister's summer tour leads to two showcase projects in the field of climate protection
After the mayors' meeting, Minister Walker's tour of the district, which was also an official part of her summer tour from the afternoon, led her to the Römerhügel in Ludwigsburg. Christian Schneider, Chairman and Managing Director of Stadtwerke Ludwigsburg-Kornwestheim (SWLB), presented the "solar heat grid" plant there. At 14,800 m², this is the largest solar thermal plant in Baden-Württemberg and the second largest in Germany. As the operator of the plant, SWLB can cover almost the entire heat demand in its grid with the solar energy fed into the plant. Ludwigsburg and Kornwestheim will decide on their heating plans before the end of this year and are thus taking up the challenge of the heating transition in medium-sized and large municipalities in the district of Ludwigsburg. The project shows that fossil fuels can also be replaced with renewable energies on a larger, municipal scale.
Finally, Minister Walker visited Tamm to find out about the heat supply in the youngest town in the district. After being welcomed by Mayor Martin Bernhard, Anselm Laube, Managing Director of the Ludwigsburg Energy Agency (LEA), explained the heating network in the old town, which was planned and built in record time and went into operation this spring. The Tammer heating network demonstrates how quickly local authorities can drive forward the heating transition. A municipal utility company was set up to build and operate the heating network. Local renewable energy sources are also connected to the network. With this project, the city is responding to the challenge of heat supply as part of public services of general interest.
