Data Center waste heat as a resource: A new solution for District Heating in Salaspils

In 2024, a project was launched for the development of the new “Tet” data center DC7 in Salaspils. The project aims not only to develop modern digital infrastructure but also to recover the heat generated during data center operation and use it in the city’s district heating system in cooperation with SIA “Salaspils Siltums”.

District heating plant in Salaspils. Photo: Salaspils Siltums / salaspilssiltums.lv

Technical solution

The Salaspils district heating system already uses several heat sources, and the new project will complement them with low emission technology. The waste heat generated by the data center will be directed to industrial heat pumps, where its temperature will be increased to a level suitable for use in district heating.

The waste heat potential of the data center is expected to reach approximately 2.0 MW, which will provide around 2.6 MW of heating capacity from the heat pumps. In addition, the project will include an industrial air-source heat pump with a nominal capacity of 1.2 MW. These additional heat sources will be integrated into the existing Salaspils district heating system, which has a total capacity of approximately 35 MW and an annual heat production of about 65,000 MWh.

EKA’s role in the project

EKA Baltic provided technical consultancy services for the techno-economic feasibility study and the development of procurement technical specifications, working in cooperation with the Salaspils Siltums team.

As an independent engineering consultancy specializing in heat pump and refrigeration systems, EKA Baltic can provide professional support throughout all stages of a project — from concept development to operational performance testing.

Project significance

This project will be an important step in gaining practical experience in Latvia, demonstrating that waste heat can be effectively integrated into district heating systems. Such an approach opens opportunities for broader use of waste heat from various processes as an additional energy source for urban heating systems in the future.

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