Germany to heat public buildings with district heating
"We are securing the heat supply for the coming winter"
The German government wants to get more public buildings connected to district heating networks in order to reduce gas consumption.
The federal government wants to reduce gas consumption by expanding district heating. "We are securing the heat supply for the coming winter," said Economics Minister Robert Habeck on Tuesday after a meeting of the federal cabinet.
The Cabinet approved a draft law to amend the Combined Heat and Power Act (KWKG). The amendment aims to simplify and accelerate the expansion of district heating networks. According to the federal government, at least 50 percent of the heat supplied to buildings is to be generated from renewable energies or waste heat by 2030.
District heating involves generating heat in a central location and distributing it through a network of pipes to individual buildings. This can be more efficient than using individual heating systems in each building, as it reduces heat losses and allows for the use of renewable energy sources.
The German government has been promoting the expansion of district heating for several years. In 2020, the government launched a 3.5 billion euro funding program to support the construction of new district heating networks and the conversion of existing heating systems to district heating.
According to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, around 14 percent of the heat supplied to buildings in Germany currently comes from district heating networks. The government aims to increase this share to 50 percent by 2030.
The expansion of district heating is seen as an important step towards reducing Germany's reliance on fossil fuels. The use of renewable energy sources and waste heat in district heating systems can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The draft law to amend the KWKG will now be submitted to the Bundestag for approval. If the law is passed, it could come into effect as early as next year.
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