Vonovia tests 'heat pump cubes' to slash fossil fuels in 20,000 homes by 2029
Vonovia has unveiled a new pilot project in Nuremberg to supply 59 homes with climate-friendly heating. The scheme uses a modular 'heat pump cube' system as part of CEO Luka Mucic's wider modernisation strategy. The company aims to cut costs and phase out fossil fuels across its housing stock.
Despite strong financial results, the firm's share price recently hit a 52-week low of around €21.
The Nuremberg pilot marks the first large-scale test of Vonovia's decentralised heating approach. Each 'heat pump cube' costs about €15,000 per unit and can be installed quickly on a gravel base. The system connects easily to existing buildings and avoids the need for extensive groundwork.
Digital controls and remote maintenance are expected to improve efficiency compared to traditional heating. The company plans to roll out over 1,000 cubes by the end of 2029, covering more than 20,000 apartments. Each cube will serve between 10 and 60 units, depending on demand. Similar projects are already in production in Aachen and have been tested in Donauwörth. A dedicated team in Kiel will oversee the heat technology programme. The long-term goal is to create a district heating network that eliminates fossil fuel use in Vonovia's properties. Financially, the company reported a 6.0% rise in adjusted EBITDA for the 2025 fiscal year, reaching approximately €2.8 billion. Occupancy remains high at 97.9%, with organic rent growth of 4.1%. The modernisation drive aims to reduce per-unit costs through economies of scale as the system expands.
Vonovia's pilot in Nuremberg sets the stage for a broader shift to decentralised, low-carbon heating. The company will monitor efficiency gains and cost savings before scaling up the programme. If successful, the system could become a standard feature in thousands of its residential units by 2029.
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