Associations call for reliable funding

08/09/2023

Source: Energy & Management Powernews

The demand for the fastest possible and reliable framework conditions for wood-based heating systems is loud on the part of the associations.

Four associations have launched the joint statement - the Federal Association of the German Heating Industry (BDH), the German Energy Wood and Pellet Association (DEPV), the Initiative Holzwärme (IH) and the Central Association Sanitary Heating Climate (ZVSHK). They criticize "the hanging game on the heating market caused by the debate around the building energy law (GEG) and continuing for months". This would be accompanied by uncertainty among consumers and the entire value chain, which would increasingly weaken the German economy. This development must be terminated as fast as possible.

"Our urgent Petitum to the policy reads to counteract the uncertainties existing now by an attractive and reliable framework setting of the promotion," explain the federations in their statement. Only in this way confidence can be created and a high economic damage avoided.

In the opinion of the federations the maximally eligible costs for energy-efficient heating systems should be raised to at least 45,000 euro. The currently available draft law of the GEG provides for a halving of the eligible investment costs - from 60,000 to 30,000 euros.

"This leads to a reduction in the absolute funding amounts for investments from about 40,000 euros for the purchase and installation of a new heating system even with a funding rate of 50 percent compared to the current regulation," write the associations. De facto the investment in a wood and pellet central heating would be on the average at least 40,000 euro. Depending upon equipment and necessary surrounding field measures also investment costs of up to 60,000 euro are possible.

Stillstand at the market must prevent

In addition BDH, DEPV, initiative wood warmth and ZVSHK speak out for a prompt entry into force of the new promotion regime. So that up to the starting date on 1 January 2024 no standstill is released at the market, all applicants should have a right of choice - from the time of the adoption of the GEG to the starting date of the new promotion conditions. This right of choice should allow citizens to decide in favor of the better subsidy conditions in each case, even retrospectively.

In addition, the associations also see optimization potential in the planned climate speed bonus. The idea behind it: The state takes over further 20 per cent of the costs, if the change of the heating system takes place up to the year 2028. After that, this bonus will be reduced by 3 percentage points each year. The bonus is not to be tied to an income limit. The cover for the maximum total promotion with all components is to lie with 70 per cent.

The federations advise to grant this bonus already with the entrance into force of the new promotion scenery and to raise on 25 per cent. The degression should also begin as early as 2025.

The four-page opinion of BDH, DEPV, Initiative Holzwärme and ZVSHK can be viewed on the BDH website.

Author: Davina Spohn