The break with Russia made Germany think about revising the heating law

In Germany, Robert Habeck's heating law may be repealed, according to which 65% heating must use renewable energy sources. This is reported by Der Spiegel.

A radical revision of the German heating law was demanded by oil and gas associations, which insist on abolishing the obligation to replace gas heating systems.

"We demand a radical revision of the law on heating. The replacement obligation should be completely abolished," the Federal Association of German Gas and Water Companies (BVGW) said.

According to the association, energy supply companies should supply consumers with environmentally friendly fuels, such as biomethane or hydrogen. Lobbyists believe that this will save gas heating, making it climate neutral.

Earlier, the German economy coped with all the challenges by importing cheap Russian gas. After 2022, Berlin decided to completely abandon it. The Law on Energy of Buildings (GEG), known as the law on heating was developed by the ruling "traffic light" coalition together with the Minister of Economy Robert Habek and the Minister of Construction Clara Heinwitz. The document entered into force on January 1, 2024. It aims to achieve climate neutrality in Germany by 2045 by phasing out fossil fuels in heating systems. According to the document, the new heating systems operated on renewable energy sources by at least 65%, with transition periods of up to 13 years for existing gas installations. Property owners can receive government subsidies through KfW to replace gas and fuel oil systems with heat pumps or pellet heating, with bonuses up to 40%. Earlier, the law has already caused acute controversy: in 2023, the Constitutional Court blocked its original version due to inconsistencies, and politicians and experts have repeatedly proposed a revision of the norms.