Germany Writes Big Cheque for Renewable Heating

BERLIN and LONDON, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

At this year's Ecobuild, Germany Trade & Invest presents opportunities in Europe's largest market

With the 20 percent renewable electricity mark already achieved, Germany is now targeting sustainable heating. EUR 500 million were provided in 2011 towards Germany's renewable heating goal - 14 percent by 2020. This commitment to renewable energy has made Germany a testing ground for companies to commercialize innovative technologies. Germany Trade & Invest experts will highlight business opportunities in Germany at this year's Ecobuild from March 20-22 in London.

"Renewable electricity is only the first step in the shift to a sustainable energy future. With generous funding for renewable heating, Germany is making great strides in developing and implementing new technologies. Companies spanning the globe are looking to Germany for market and R&D opportunities," said Heiko Staubitz, energy efficiency expert at Germany Trade & Invest in Berlin.

The program, jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) and the federal KfW Banking Group, has been extended for five more years and supports technologies such as solar collectors, thermal storage systems, heat grids, biogas plants, biomass systems and geothermal energy.

To complement sustainable heat and energy generation, energy efficiency also plays an important role. "Germany is working on both sides of the energy equation, with generous incentives also available for improvements in construction techniques and materials," continued Staubitz.

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
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