German Buildings Receive EUR 1.5 Billion Energy Efficiency Makeover

BERLIN and CHIBA-CITY, Japan, December 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Renewable Energy 2011 Exhibition

Energy efficiency in building and urban planning is receiving a major boost in Germany. EUR 1.5 billion will be provided per year starting in 2012 to refurbish buildings for improved energy efficiency, according to the recently passed federal budget. Germany Trade & Invest will have experts on hand at this year's Renewable Energy 2011 Exhibition from December 5-7 in Chiba-City, Japan, to share new business opportunities in Germany's thriving renewable energy industry.

"Improving energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy generation are two sides of the same coin. German policymakers understand this and have created a comprehensive approach that supports both aspects. As a result, international companies look to Germany as a leader in sustainable energy solutions," said Heiko Staubitz, renewable energy expert at Germany Trade & Invest in Berlin.

Heating, lighting, and providing warm water for public and private buildings currently accounts for 40 percent of Germany's energy consumption and 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The building refurbishment initiative, run by Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) together with the federal KfW banking group, is a longstanding program that has committed nearly EUR 7 billion and facilitated investments of over EUR 84 billion over the past five years. It is joined in 2012 by a new initiative, the Urban Energy Efficiency Rehabilitation program, launched this month to provide coordinated approaches to increasing energy efficiency in municipalities, rather than solely for individual buildings. The new measure additionally complements the Energy Efficient Urban Lighting program.

Renewable energy makes up 20 percent of Germany's electricity mix and climbing. The country recently decided to phase out nuclear power and is further ramping up investments in renewable energy. Germany features the world's strongest photovoltaic market, with nearly half of all global installations worldwide. In wind power, Germany leads Europe in total installations and is currently preparing for a major expansion in the offshore segment.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

Germany Trade & Invest
Andreas Bilfinger
Email: andreas.bilfinger@gtai.com
T: +49(0)30-200099-173
F: +49(0)30-200099-511