From a ban on heating private pools, to shops being obliged to shut their doors to prevent heat escaping, here’s everything you need to know about Germany’s new energy-saving regulations.
As Germany rushes to ensure its gas supplies for the winter, and with energy prices soaring, several German cities have begun implementing energy-saving measures such as turning off lights at monuments and regulating office temperatures. Despite this, the German cabinet has decided to also impose rules on residents, businesses and other public institutions.
The rules also focus on cutting down electricity consumption, since gas is used to generate electricity. German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has called for unity throughout German society in order to overcome the energy crisis. “We are facing a national effort, and it needs a strong interplay between the state, business and society; between the federal government, the states, local authorities, social partners, trade unions, associations, and civil society,” he said, according to a press release from the German government. “Every contribution counts.”
The new measures have been approved through two ordinances, both of which are based on the Energy Security Act. The first ordinance will come into force from the start of September and will initially apply for six months, it includes the following measures:
The second ordinance still has to be approved by the Bundesrat. It will apply until 2024 and will require gas heating systems to be regularly inspected and inefficient pumps to be replaced. The ordinance will also require companies that use more than 10-gigawatt hours per year to introduce their own energy-saving measures.
Another legal ordinance by the economic and transport ministries has also been approved by the cabinet. This ordinance gives priority to the transportation of energy by rail to ensure power plants and refineries can continue to operate.