2024-09-05 05:00:18
The federal government wants to speed up the construction of heat pumps. A corresponding draft law was passed on Wednesday.
The federal government wants to push ahead with the expansion of geothermal energy. “We are ensuring that thermal energy from deep layers of the earth can be used for our energy supply in a targeted and unbureaucratic manner,” said Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck (Greens). The cabinet launched plans to speed up approval procedures for geothermal plants, heat pumps and heat storage systems. The “Augsburger Allgemeine” newspaper had previously reported on this.
According to a statement, Habeck said that the potential of geothermal energy, i.e. direct geothermal heat from deeper rock layers, had been neglected in Germany for decades. “Now we are finally bringing geothermal energy out of its shadowy existence.” The measure is part of the coalition’s “growth initiative.” Geothermal energy is a climate-neutral, inexhaustible source of energy that is reliably available all year round.
Habeck wants to introduce maximum deadlines for approval procedures in mining law: According to the report, the responsible authorities should decide within one year in the future. In addition, objections should no longer have a suspensive effect. Small private groundwater heat pumps and geothermal collectors should therefore be allowed to be built without a water law permit.
According to the “Augsburger Allgemeine”, the draft law from Habeck’s office states literally: “The speed with which geothermal energy and heat pumps are being expanded in Germany must be increased.” At present, it can take years for authorities to give the green light for projects in this area.
According to the report, Habeck’s plans are for the new rules to come into force next January. For this to happen, the Bundestag and Bundesrat would have to approve the draft law later this year.
The share of renewable energies in the generation of space heating currently accounts for less than a fifth. Geothermal energy plays an important role in significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the heat supply. Around a quarter of the heat in Germany could in principle be generated using deep geothermal systems.