Deneff takes position on draft energy efficiency law

Source: Energy & Management Powernews, 21 . October 2022

The German Business Initiative Energy Efficiency (Deneff) welcomed a draft energy efficiency law that has become known and at the same time calls for tougher measures.

The draft energy efficiency law that became known in mid-October must be significantly improved. Thus judged the Deneff after first examination of the over 100 sides on 20 October. The goals were still oriented to the level that the EU Commission had announced last fall for the amendment of the Energy Efficiency Directive. "However, the Commission had already increased this level in view of the energy crisis this summer," recalled Carsten Müller (CDU), Chairman of the Board of Deneff and member of the German Bundestag.

Therefore, the association appealed to the German government to join the even more ambitious proposals of the EU Parliament in view of the sharp rise in energy prices and thus also to take on a role model role in Europe. For Germany, he said, this means reducing the consumption of final energy sources such as gas, electricity, oil and gasoline by around 30% by 2030 and overall energy consumption by at least 40% compared with 2008 levels.

Neglecting efficiency comes at a high price

Müller said, "We are all currently paying a high price for the fact that energy efficiency has too often been the poor relation of energy policy in the past." That is why a broad investment offensive is all the more necessary now for energy-saving buildings and companies, he said. All major scenarios on the energy transition have made it clear for more than ten years that energy consumption must be at least halved if it is to be met in the future in an affordable, secure and fully sustainable manner.

Christian Noll, managing director of Deneff said, "The energy price trend and the continuing tight supply situation require a much more spirited approach." More ambition in energy efficiency has become not only more economical, but above all more necessary, he said. "In addition, the law creates clear guard rails for market participants to make the necessary investments," Noll expects.

According to the initiative, the measures included to achieve the targets also need to be tightened up. This would concern, for example, the obligation to use energy management systems in industry or the removal of barriers to the energy services market. In addition, for standards for the refurbishment of the energetically worst buildings must still be brought this year in an amendment to the building energy law on the way, demands the Deneff.

According to the Deneff, an energy efficiency law should contain the following points

• adequate and binding targets for primary and final energy efficiency
• mandatory implementation of economic efficiency measures in companies from 5 million kWh annual consumption and energy audits from a 1 million. kWh annual consumption
• Model function of the public sector with an energy saving of 2% final energy annually and an annual renovation rate of their building areas
• Unleash energy services through a general equality requirement and discrimination ban for the energy services market
• Mandatory exploitation of waste heat potential from data centers and industrial plants at top runner level.

The opinion of the Deneff is available for download as a PDF.

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