Construction of Energy Facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia – Heitkamp Expertise and Information on Funding

North Rhine-Westphalia is an industrial state—and thus also an energy hub. Chemical, steel, and cement plants require process heat, while municipal utilities supply entire neighborhoods with district heating. Consequently, the construction of energy facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia is more important than ever.

The quality of these facilities is crucial to both supply security and costs. The coming years present a twofold challenge. The goal is to make existing power plants more efficient while simultaneously making room for large-scale heat pumps and flexible gas-fired power plants.

For operators, municipal utilities, and industrial companies, this means investment decisions must be made now. Anyone planning to build starting in 2026 and 2027 should clarify two questions early on: Who will implement the project safely from a construction standpoint? And what funding options are available before the first contract is awarded?

Heitkamp: Energy Plant Construction from Essen

Heitkamp Industrial Solutions is headquartered in Essen and has a history of construction dating back to 1892. Thanks to its location in the heart of the Ruhr region, the company is close to projects throughout North Rhine-Westphalia.

The company is part of the internationally active Rönesans Group and combines three disciplines under one roof: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

This helps reduce significant interfaces between construction work and MEP services—an area where many large-scale projects lose time and money.

Combined-Cycle Power Plants and Gas-Fired Facilities
Gas and steam turbine plants (GuD), known internationally as combined-cycle power plants (CCPP), are part of our core business. One example from North Rhine-Westphalia is the Bonn Nord cogeneration plant operated by SWB Energie und Wasserversorgung Bonn/Rhein-Sieg.

There, while the plant was still in operation and right in the middle of the city, Heitkamp constructed a machine house with switchgear rooms and a gas turbine foundation, the foundation for a waste heat boiler, and a workshop and office building.

In addition, Heitkamp builds combined heat and power (CHP) plants and peak-load power plants. Mainova’s coal replacement project in Frankfurt demonstrates how the transition from coal to lower-emission fuels is being implemented from a construction perspective.

Cutting-Edge Hydrogen Plants
At Heitkamp, hydrogen is a separate business division alongside CHP and combined cycle power generation. New gas-fired power plants are expected to be converted to hydrogen in the future; electrolyzers and storage systems require foundations, steel structures, piping, and electrical engineering.

Heitkamp covers precisely these areas in industrial plant construction: steel, piping, and tank construction; low- and medium-voltage systems; and measurement and control technology. A reliable partner is particularly important in this demanding environment.

Industrial Heat Pumps
Large heat pumps in district heating networks or at industrial sites fall under plant engineering in the narrower sense. They require technical buildings, foundations, piping connections, and a high-performance electrical supply.

Those who integrate such systems into existing power plant sites benefit from brownfield experience—that is, from constructing alongside operating facilities.

In terms of contracts, Heitkamp offers not only VOB and FIDIC but also NEC models, including Open Book Target Cost (NEC Option C). For clients, this means transparent costs and joint risk management.

Construction of Energy Facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia – Subsidies for 2026/2027

The federal and state governments support the construction of new energy facilities through several programs. Which program is appropriate depends primarily on the type of facility, the project size, and the applicant.

Gas-Fired Power Plant Tenders
The Electricity Supply Security and Capacity Act (StromVKG) has been in effect since July 22, 2026.

Under this law, the Federal Network Agency issues tenders for so-called long-term capacities with a 15-year commitment. The first bidding round ended on September 8, 2026; according to the law, the second bidding deadline is December 29, 2026.

Each bid had to include a plan for the future transition to hydrogen. Additionally, proof of a grid connection or a binding commitment to connect had to be provided. Anyone planning for future rounds should prepare both of these early on.

Large-Scale Heat Pumps and District Heating Networks
For larger district heating networks with more than 16 buildings or over 100 residential units, the Federal Funding Program for Efficient District Heating Networks (BEW) applies.

Through this program, the BAFA provides grants for the construction and retrofitting of networks as well as for individual systems in existing networks, such as heat pumps. The grant amounts to 40 percent of eligible expenses but is limited to the project’s economic viability gap.

For heat pumps that feed into a district heating network, there is an additional subsidy for operating costs. As of April 2026, the BEW will no longer provide funding for transformation plans, except for industrial process heat networks. Feasibility studies and early-stage planning services remain eligible for funding.

State Funding in North Rhine-Westphalia
For smaller building networks with up to 16 buildings, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia provides a grant in addition to the federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG EM).

This is based on the progres.nrw Climate Protection Technology guideline dated August 20, 2026. Applications may be submitted through the end of June 2027, as long as funds are available.

Funding is provided for heat distribution, storage, and transfer stations, but not for the heat generators themselves. The amount of the grant depends on the size of the company and the proportion of renewable heat. A prerequisite is prior BEG approval by the BAFA. Applications are processed by the Arnsberg District Government.

Practical Tips for Energy Facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia

This section provides a clear summary of helpful practical tips for the construction of energy facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia.

1. Submit the application first, then sign the contract. With the BEW, supply and service contracts may only be concluded after the grant approval notice has been issued. Starting work prematurely will result in the loss of funding.
2. Estimate costs realistically. The BAFA accepts justified risk premiums only for individual expense items, not for the total amount or as a separate line item such as “contingencies.”
3. Plan for hydrogen from the start. Foundations, pipeline routes, and buildings should be designed so that a later conversion is possible without major reconstruction.
4. Reduce interfaces. Awarding construction, mechanical, and electrical work to a single contractor shortens coordination processes and reduces schedule risks.
   
   

Construction of Energy Facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia – Conclusion

Whether it’s a combined-cycle power plant, a hydrogen facility, or a large-scale heat pump: For projects in North Rhine-Westphalia, federal and state funding opportunities will be available in 2026 and 2027, ranging from tenders under the StromVKG to funding for district heating networks.

Those wishing to take advantage of funding opportunities should plan early, as applications must generally be submitted before the contract is awarded, and individual programs have time limits.

Heitkamp Industrial Solutions supports operators in North Rhine-Westphalia from construction planning through to turnkey handover. Contact us – see Contact.

Note: Funding conditions change regularly. The current guidelines are authoritative.

Sources

• Arnsberg District Government (2026): Support for Building Networks. progres.nrw – Climate Protection Technology. Available online at: https://www.bra.nrw.de/energie-bergbau/foerderprogramme-fuer-klimaschutz-und-energiewende/foerderbereiche/energiesysteme-fuer-klimagerechte-gebaeude/foerderung-von-gebaeudenetzen (Accessed: Oct. 2, 2026).
• Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) (2026): Federal Funding for Efficient Heating Networks (BEW). Available online at: https://www.bafa.de/DE/Energie/Energieeffizienz/Waermenetze/Effiziente_Waermenetze/effiziente_waermenetze_node.html (Accessed: Oct. 2, 2026).
• Federal Network Agency (2026): Call for Bids for Long-Term Capacity – 1st Bidding Deadline, September 8, 2026. Notice dated July 21, 2026, as of Sept. 3, 2026. Available online at: https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Fachthemen/ElektrizitaetundGas/Kapazitaetsmarkt/Ausschreibung/Gebotstermin_Sep26/start.html (Accessed: October 2, 2026).