Heat pump revolution: Germany is fighting against bureaucratic hurdles!

Heat pump revolution: Germany is fighting against bureaucratic hurdles!

In the slipstream of international developments in the field of renewable energies, Germany is looking at a challenging path to climate neutrality, which is to be achieved by 2045. Unfortunately, progress in the areas of buildings and transport has so far fallen short of the ambitious goals. This is confirmed by the Federal Heat Pump Association (BWP), which sees great potential for heat pump systems, but also points out the numerous hurdles that need to be overcome. Martin Sabel, Managing Director of the BWP, emphasizes that many projects are at risk due to inconsistent and long approval processes. These delays could lead to the cancellation of many projects, which further endangers the achievement of climate goals. [az-online.de].

While Germany is still catching up in this area, Denmark is showing how things can be done better. With 178 large heat pumps producing over 580 megawatts, Denmark has over three times Germany's capacity. An outstanding example is a seawater heat pump in Esbjerg that replaces a coal-fired power plant and provides heat to over 100,000 people. In Germany, on the other hand, the installed thermal output of large heat pumps is only around 180 megawatts. There are currently 71 projects with a total capacity of around 900 megawatts being planned or under construction - with an additional 700 megawatts on the horizon. Sabel calls for a reliable framework and more funds for federal funding for efficient heating networks.

New momentum through changes in the law

In order to counteract the stagnating development, the federal government has decided on a number of legal changes that are intended to speed up the approval process for geothermal energy systems, heat pumps and heat storage systems. The bill was recently considered at a public hearing, and experts spoke positively about the government's efforts. The Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck, highlighted the potential of geothermal energy, which should play a central role in Germany as a climate-neutral, inexhaustible energy source. [bundestag.de].

The planned changes to the law aim to significantly shorten procedure times through digitalization, shortened deadlines and reduced requirements. A central point is the introduction of maximum deadlines for approval procedures in mining law, which allow a decision to be made within one year. At the same time, the bureaucracy for small projects such as groundwater heat pumps should be significantly reduced, so that in the future they only have to be reported. [bmwk.de](https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/PRESS releases/2024/09/20240904-umstellung-der-waermewende.html) emphasizes that these measures are part of the federal government's growth initiative.

The way forward

Given the challenges and opportunities of the heating transition, it is clear that German energy policy must set a decisive course in the coming years. Progress in the development and implementation of heat pumps and geothermal systems will not only be central to achieving climate goals, but also to a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply. It remains to be seen whether the new legal regulations and the associated reduction in bureaucracy actually have the desired effects and whether Germany can soon join a league similar to Denmark.