Measures under the EEW funding programme can now commence ahead of schedule – Faster implementation of energy efficiency projects in companies

The funding guidelines for the programme entitled "Federal funding for energy and resource efficiency in commerce" (EEW) have been amended with immediate effect. According to the new funding terms, companies can start work on projects directly after applying – before, they had to wait until their applications have been approved in order to receive funding. Investment totalling around €3 billion and resulting final energy savings amounting to approximately seven terawatt hours (TWh) can thus be realised faster.

In order to overcome the energy crisis, we need to reduce our energy consumption as quickly as possible. The EEW is the major funding programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) to improve energy and resource efficiency and expand renewable process heat in industry and commerce. Since the launch of the programme in 2019, more than 10,000 applications have been approved annually. The EEW has thus made an important contribution to the reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The funding programme is technology-neutral – ranging from the use of waste heat and saving material and energy to the use of solar process heat – as long as CO2 emissions are reduced.

In view of the energy crisis, energy saving projects must be realised even faster. For this reason, it is now also possible to start work on projects under the programme entitled "Federal funding for energy and resource efficiency in commerce" before applications have been approved. Many of the projects are large-scale projects offering great potential for savings. They account for the majority of energy and CO2 savings. The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) are in charge of the implementation of the programme (loans and grants respectively).

The new EEW funding guidelines will help to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels faster and thus to save costs both for individual businesses and the economy as a whole.

Improving energy efficiency is also key to attaining the climate targets.