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German Energy Act for Buildings (GEG)

Still at the draft stage

German Energy Act for Buildings (GEG)

The aim of the German Energy Act for Buildings (GEG) was to create a uniform system of requirements that integrated energy efficiency and renewable energies, with the regulatory specifications continuing to pursue the goal of ensuring that the primary energy demand of buildings remained low. The remaining energy demand was to be increasingly covered by renewable energies.

TWO SETS OF REGULATIONS

EnEV AND EEWärmeG

The energy-related requirements for buildings are currently governed by two sets of regulations: the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) and the German Renewable Energies Act (EEWärmeG). Whereas the German Energy Saving Act (EnEG) and the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) contain the construction-related and system-related requirements for buildings, the German Renewable Energies Act (EEWärmeG) stipulates that new buildings – as well as existing buildings belonging to public authorities – must use renewable energies for heating purposes to a specified extent. However, the coexistence of these different sets of regulations leads to difficulties in terms of their application and enforcement, especially since they do not entirely complement one another.

ADDITIONAL DIRECTIVE

FROM 2021

In addition, Article 9 of Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings makes it obligatory for the member states to ensure that all new buildings as of 2021 are designed as nearly zero-energy buildings. In the case of non-residential buildings belonging to public authorities, this obligation shall apply from 2019. The nearly zero-energy building standard has not yet been defined in Germany.

 

The German Energy Act for Buildings (GEG) was intended to implement this Directive. The aim was also to restructure and standardise energy conservation law for buildings by uniting the above laws and regulations within the GEG Act.

 

As a result of time constraints, it is no longer possible for the planned Act to be passed during the current legislative period. Germany will therefore be in breach of the EU Building Directive to begin with. Furthermore, the previous laws and regulations will not be repealed for the time being - and the regulatory law for buildings will initially remain unchanged.