Germany Launches €17 Billion Energy Strategy
by Valteq Sustainability Team, part of CBRE
Earlier this month, Sigmar Gabriel – Germany’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy – announced a new strategy aiming to increase energy efficiency in Germany.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has allocated funding of more than €17 billion to promote energy efficiency measures between now and 2020. The strategy comprises the following five new programs:
An incentive program for the prevention of heat loss and the use of thermal discharge support measures, to prevent or use operations-related thermal waste in commercial businesses. Funded are investments in the modernisation, upgrades or new construction of installations, if these prevent operations-related heat loss or efficiently utilise previously unused thermal discharge. Entitled to apply are commercial entities that are predominantly privately owned, regardless of their turnover.
A program to promote highly efficient multi-disciplinary technologies. In this context, the following technologies receive investment grants: efficient industrial pumps, electric motors and drives, ventilation systems or compressed air systems. The eligibility for grants is assessed based on technical efficiency criteria.
Step up! – Competitive bidding for measures to save electricity. Specifically supported are investments that save the most energy at the lowest cost. This provides an incentive for companies to invest in energy saving technologies. As part of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (Nationaler Aktionsplan Energieeffizienz), the program is aimed to reach companies in all sectors, including energy providers and municipal utility companies.
An “Einsparzähler” pilot project to promote new energy services and business models that are based on digital energy meters. Such meters show the user where the most energy is used and which energy efficiency measures would have to greatest effect.
A “Deutschland macht’s effizient” information campaign, equally targeted at private consumers, companies and public institutions aims to motivate all consumer groups to use heat and electricity as economically as possible. The strategy is backed by various public campaigns, including informational flyers and brochures, a website with a wide range of information and helpful advice, advertisements and posters, as well as a promotional movie that is in the pipeline.
