A leading voice from Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has cautioned against creating uncertainty within the heating technology market, while also suggesting potential adjustments to existing subsidy programs. Andreas Lenz, energy policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, emphasized the continued necessity of financial incentives for both heating system replacements and building energy renovations.
Speaking to the “Handelsblatt” newspaper, Lenz urged the rapid development of a comprehensive and viable overall plan to maintain stability. He indicated a belief that the current subsidy model could be refined for increased effectiveness and potentially scaled back over time.
The comments follow remarks made by CSU party leader Markus Söder, who proposed a significant reduction – “at least 50 percent, if not more” – in financial support for heat pump installations. Söder argued that the existing subsidies have inadvertently contributed to higher prices for heat pumps in Germany compared to other nations.
Lenz expanded on potential modifications to the financial support system, suggesting a shift from direct grants to tax deductions for higher-income households undergoing heating system upgrades. This approach, he contends, could simultaneously reduce the overall financial burden of the program while still encouraging energy-efficient renovations.
Germany currently offers financial assistance for a range of heating technologies, not solely heat pumps and policymakers are actively considering how to optimize these programs for long-term sustainability and affordability.
