After 20 years of service, Jiamusi’s heating network was too old to meet the demand of its urban development. In 2007, Veolia took over the management and operation of the entire central urban heating network under a 25-year concession agreement granted by Jiamusi Municipality.
During the first year of take-over, Veolia rebuilt 11.6 km of the old pipeline, and replaced about 106 regional substations. 64 coal-fired boiler houses were shut down before the first heating season from October 2007 to April 2008. Thanks to the significant environmental progress, Veolia won the "Global District Energy Climate Award” issued by the IEA in Copenhagen in 2009. The mayor of Jiamusi Municipality attended in person and received the award, which was regarded as one of the city’s highest distinction.
Veolia has been conducting renovation of the network in Jiamusi ever since. Up until now, more than 85% of the city’s total heating is provided by Combined Heat and Power (CHP). 12.28 million square meters are connected to the main network. This figure is expected to reach 17 million square meters by 2020, which is equivalent to 73% of Jiamusi’s urban area.
