'Sustainability with hybrid heat pumps continues despite new coalition'

Reactions in the industry to the news that the new coalition is waiving the obligation to purchase at least a hybrid heat pump when replacing a boiler from 2026 vary. Techniek Nederland finds it incomprehensible, but manufacturers think it will not change anything.

The outline agreement on an extra-parliamentary cabinet between PVV, NSC, VVD and BBB states that "the obligation to have to install a heat pump from 2026, when replacing the boiler, will be scrapped. That obligation had been announced in 2022 by Minister Hugo de Jonge, and the entire industry had already prepared for it. It was therefore to be expected that the reactions would be quite sharp.

Unpalatable decision must be off the table

Techniek Nederland meets those expectations. The intention to scrap the standardization of the hybrid heat pump is unacceptable to the industry association. Chairman Doekle Terpstra finds it an ill-considered decision: 'Together we have put our backs into reducing CO2 emissions. Installation companies and independent entrepreneurs have put a lot of money, time and energy into training and the industry has increased production capacity. By reversing this, the government is putting an entire sector in trouble. This really needs to be off the table.

Producers continue to believe in it

That harsh tone is not heard among manufacturers. Remeha is not really happy with the new policy, Director Director Arthur van Schayk indicates when asked. He is particularly unhappy about the fickleness of politics: 'The continuous change in political policy inhibits the necessary innovation and acceleration.' Among other things, Remeha has invested in product development and the opening of a heat pump plant based on the 2022 announcement, he points out. Still, he is confident about the future. 'We continue to believe in the hybrid heat pump. It is simply the best solution for making existing homes more sustainable, not only in terms of CO2 reduction and gas savings, but also as a financial investment.

The same noises are heard at Intergas and ATAG. Intergas refers once again to the study "Hybrid heated," which showed that you can save up to 80 percent with a hybrid system compared to a gas-fired central heating system. Rob Maassen, Country Manager ATAG Heating is convinced that the investments will not be jeopardized because the demand for sustainable heating solutions will remain high in the coming years. 'The removal of the requirement for a heat pump from 2026 will not change that,' he says.