East German States Lead Heating Transition, Setting Example for National Green Goals

East German States Lead Heating Transition, Setting Example for National Green Goals

(IN BRIEF) A survey conducted by E.ON reveals that the eastern German states are at the forefront of the heating transition, with almost three-quarters of homes renovated or partially renovated, largely due to post-reunification subsidies for building modernization. Brandenburg leads with a 77% renovation rate, followed closely by Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt. The prevalence of district heating networks from the former GDR era in these states provides a head start for transitioning to renewable energy sources, with the potential for quick conversion. The high renovation rate also facilitates adoption of eco-friendly technologies like heat pumps, offering significant heating cost savings. E.ON’s digital heat map offers detailed insights into the heating transition status nationwide, highlighting the importance of local initiatives in achieving Germany’s goal of greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045. Municipalities are tasked with developing heating plans, ensuring a predictable and cost-effective transition to climate-friendly heating options for citizens and businesses.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 12-Apr-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The East German states are in pole position for the start of the heating transition. According to a survey by the energy company E.ON, almost three-quarters of eastern German homes have been renovated or partially renovated, not least thanks to subsidies for modernizing buildings after reunification. According to E.ON, Brandenburg leads the way with a renovation rate of 77 percent, followed by Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt with 75 and 74 percent, respectively. In Germany as a whole, the average rate of renovated or partially renovated residential buildings is 65 percent.

The states in eastern Germany have a further initial advantage thanks to the district heating networks that were widespread in the former GDR era and are still largely in use today. They are important for the heating transition because they can be converted to renewable energies comparatively quickly and thus represent an important building block for the heating and energy transition. The high level of refurbishment in turn facilitates the switch to environmentally friendly technologies such as heat pumps, which can save households up to 30 percent on heating costs.

The data comes from E.ON’s digital heat map. This innovative platform provides a detailed insight into the status quo of the heating transition throughout Germany. At Wärmekarte | E.ON (eon.com), the heat map shows not only the current renovation status, but also the heat demand, CO2 emissions and distribution of heating technologies as well as the renovation rates in existing buildings – free of charge for every federal state, city and municipality.

By 2045, Germany is to become greenhouse gas neutral. Then all heating systems in the country must be powered entirely by renewable energy sources. The legal basis for this is provided by the Building Energy Act and the Heating Planning Act. Municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants have until June 30, 2026 to develop a heating plan. For all municipalities with less than 100,000 inhabitants, the deadline is June 30, 2028. The municipal heating plan will inform citizens and businesses whether they can expect a district heating connection or whether they should opt for another climate-friendly heating option. In this way, a climate-friendly heat supply that is predictable, cost-effective and stable in the medium to long term is being implemented step by step.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by E.ON Group Management and other information currently available to E.ON. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. E.ON SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to align them to future events or developments.

Media Contact:

Isabel Reinhardt
Spokeswoman
tel:+49 1736840253
isabel.reinhardt@eon.com

SOURCE: E.ON SE