AACHEN DISTRICT HEAT & ELECTRICITY NETWORKS

• Energy - Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply

The project will support part of the promoter's multi-annual investment programme in electricity distribution and district heating networks, as well as heat generation, over a five-year period (2026–2030). The electricity network component includes the refurbishment and extension of existing low-, medium- and high-voltage infrastructure to improve safety, reliability and quality of service, replace obsolete equipment, and enable the connection of new system users. The district heating component entails the construction of new heat generation capacities (gas-fired), as well as the renovation and extension of the network through the refurbishment of existing infrastructure and the construction of new pipelines, substations and client connections, improving operations and ensuring security of supply.

The electricity distribution investments will expand the network and prepare it for decentralised input from renewable energy sources. The heat generation investments are expected to include high-efficiency combined heat and power plants, replacing heat currently supplied from a lignite power plant. District heating network investments will improve operations and enable the connection of new users.

Some schemes may fall under Annex II of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EU (as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU), which requires the competent national authority to determine the need for an EIA. The exact requirements, as well as, where and if applicable, the requirements of Birds Directive 2009/147/EC and of Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, will be verified during appraisal. The schemes are expected to have limited environmental impact. The environmental and social due diligence will follow the programme lending approach according to the EIB's standards. It will focus on the Promoter's capacity to implement the programme in line with the EIB environmental and social standards and requirements. The project is expected to contribute to climate action and environmental sustainability objectives, in particular to climate mitigation.

The Promoter shall ensure that contracts for implementation of the project will be tendered in accordance with the applicable EU procurement legislation, Directive 2014/23/EU / 2014/24/EU / 2014/25/EU as well as Directive 92/13/EEC or Directive 89/665/EEC as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU, with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required. Information on awarded main suppliers/contractors for the implementation of the envisaged operation is not available.