Heat transition needs funding and clear rules

21.05.2025

Source: E & M powernews

In a joint appeal, energy associations are calling on the German government to quickly clarify its heating transition policy and create reliable framework conditions.

The building sector is still failing to make its contribution to reducing greenhouse gases. According to energy and real estate associations, this is also due to the uncertain legal requirements and uncertain funding conditions. The new German government has announced that it will abolish or revise the Building Energy Act (GEG) of the coalition government. For this reason, energy associations are calling for clarity to be provided quickly in the heating transition policy. A lot of time has already been wasted.

The joint appeal comes from the associations BDEW, BDH, BEE, B.KWK, BWP, DVGW, GdW, VKU, ZIA, Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft, ZVSHK, ZVEH and ZVEI. Only with reliable framework conditions can the building sector make a lasting contribution to achieving the climate targets. "The announcements have caused considerable uncertainty in the market - both among citizens and companies," the appeal states. In order to secure confidence in the transformation process and trigger investment, concrete decisions and a stable long-term funding policy are now required.

The associations' demands

• Eliminate uncertainty with a commitment to climate protection. The modernization of the heating stock must be consistently continued on the basis of renewable and climate-neutral energies - with a simple and practicable regulatory framework.
• Practical amendment to the GEG and 1:1 implementation of the EU Buildings Directive (EPBD). The industry is ready to contribute its expertise. The EPBD must be transposed into national law in a comprehensible manner and without further delays - unlike the last amendment to the GEG.
• Reliable and long-term financing and funding. Federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG) and efficient heating networks (BEW) must be designed to be reliable and sustainable. The Combined Heat and Power Act (KWKG) is a central element of the heating transition and must be further developed with a view to climate neutrality.
• Combining the GEG and the Heat Planning Act (WPG). The Building Energy Act (GEG) and the Heat Planning Act (WPG) need to be closely interlinked in order to leverage synergies and ensure efficient implementation. Responsibilities must be clearly defined - companies should only be held accountable where they are actually responsible.
• The undersigned associations urgently call on the German government to provide clarity now, create clear and reliable framework conditions and actively drive forward the heating transition with affordable, practical measures.

The signatories:

German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), German Heating Industry Association (BDH), German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE)
Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (B.KWK), Bundesverband Wärmepumpe (BWP), Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches (DVGW), Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen (GdW), Verband kommunaler Unternehmen (VKU), Zentraler Immobilien Ausschuss (ZIA), Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft, Zentralverband Sanitär Heizung Klima (ZVSHK), Zentralverband der Deutschen Elektro- und Informationstechnischen Handwerke (ZVEH) and Verband der Elektro- und Digitalindustrie (ZVEI).

The associations' appeal for the heating transition is available to download as a PDF.

Author: Susanne Harmsen