The BVKW is committed to the expansion of fifth generation district heating and cooling networks across Germany. On 16 December 2025, BBH lawyer and partner counsel Barbara von Gayling-Westphal was elected as deputy chair and second board member at the association’s general meeting. As a board member, the expert on public and heat law intends to contribute her expertise to shaping a legal framework that enables fifth generation heating and cooling networks – in combination with technological solutions and cost-efficient implementation schemes – to develop into a central pillar of a carbon-neutral heat supply.
Barbara von Gayling-Westphal: “We are committed to promoting the implementation of fifth generation heating and cooling networks, since they allow us to use renewable energy sources and waste heat in an efficient manner within urban neighbourhoods and can significantly contribute to the heat transition and sector coupling.”“
“I am pleased that there is an association dedicated to low-temperature district heating and cooling networks. These networks can be an important element in transforming the heat sector. With Barbara von Gayling-Westphal, the association has elected a deputy chair who will be an ideal addition to the board with her outstanding expertise on public law and heat law. The BBH group will also take an active part in the association’s work going forward in its capacity as a member,” adds lawyer and BBH partner Ulf Jacobshagen.
With more than 700 employees, 7,000 clients and 7 offices, the BBH group is a leading provider of advisory services to energy and infrastructure companies and their customers. Energy and supply companies, particularly public utilities, municipalities and local authorities, industrial companies and international groups are among its core clients. The BBH group assists these and many other companies and organisations with legal, business and strategic advice.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Ines Zenke
Rechtsanwältin/Lawyer, Partner
Phone +49 (0)30 611 28 40-179
ines.zenke@bbh-online.de
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