On 14 January 2026, the city of Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences marked a significant milestone in their shared commitment to sustainability and urban innovation. Through close cooperation with the municipal utility provider, the university campus is now connected to the city’s district heating network, advancing Magdeburg’s vision of a climate-neutral future.

The district heating network is supplied by unavoidable residual heat from waste incineration, enabling a climate-friendly and cost-efficient energy supply. As a result of the transition, the university will save around 2,100 tonnes of CO₂ per year – a remarkable 91 percent reduction in emissions from heat and cooling generation, according to the Rector, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Strackeljan. “By connecting to climate-friendly district heating and largely eliminating the use of fossil fuels, we are sending a strong signal for sustainability and taking responsibility for the future.”

With this step, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg has successfully completed the comprehensive and sustainable energy supply concept for its campus as part of the project ‘Energy Concept 2020’. With a total budget of €22.2 million provided by the state of Saxony-Anhalt, a key component of the project was the construction of a new central supply facility. In addition, the heating networks were renewed and new cooling supply networks were installed, operated in an energy-efficient manner using modern technologies.

Photo courtesy of Jana Dünnhaupt