Name of programme:

Renewable energy generation and waste heat utilisation (in accordance with Directive Part A)

Type of funding:

Grant

Aim/purpose of funding:

The federal programme to increase energy efficiency and CO2 savings in agriculture and horticulture supports companies in agriculture and horticulture in investing in more economical, climate-friendly technologies. In addition, the integration of electricity storage systems into the agricultural power grid is an ideal way to hedge against sharp rises in electricity prices.

Who is subsidised?

Investments in systems for the generation, provision and procurement of renewable energies and waste heat for the company's own use and
new buildings and new plants are eligible for subsidisation. Part A is aimed at agricultural micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in primary production who wish to apply for aid for their projects.

Funding conditions:

• It is an SME in primary agricultural production
• A measure-specific or comprehensive energy consultation was carried out by an expert authorised by the BLE,
• The temporarily stored electricity is used exclusively for own consumption.

Individual measures

Specified technologies that lead to energy and CO2 savings are subsidised. Energy counselling is not required.
The individual measures summarise investments in certain devices, machines and systems eligible for funding in different areas.

The eligible individual measures are:

• Small consumers in direct replacement: electric motors and drives, pumps, fans, compressors
• Energy storage and efficiency measures in buildings and systems: Energy storage, energy screens, fixed multiple coverings in greenhouses, pre-coolers in milk cooling systems, heat exchangers
• Energy efficiency measures for agricultural machinery for retrofitting and original equipment: tyre pressure control systems
• Alternative drive systems for agricultural machinery for retrofitting and original equipment: electrically powered agricultural machinery (tractors, feed mixers, farmyard loaders, etc.), biofuel-powered agricultural machinery (tractors, feed mixers, farmyard loaders, etc.), autonomous robots in indoor farming (e.g. feed or manure pushers)

Amount of funding:

Grant of up to a maximum of 900.00 euros per tonne of CO2 saved per year or a maximum of 40 percent of the net investment volume.

Duration of programme:

NOTE:
Funding for a complete energy consultation is no longer possible. Due to the budget definition for 2024, the funds earmarked for this funding area will only be available to finance projects that have already been approved. As a result, this funding area will no longer be continued. Energy consultations can be carried out as part of a measure-specific consultation in accordance with Section 2.1.1 of Guideline Part A and funded together with the corresponding investment measure(s) in accordance with Section 3.2.

Fact sheet

Federal programme

Name of programme:

Funding for light and heavy-duty commercial vehicles with alternative, eco-friendly drive systems and corresponding refuelling/charging infrastructure

Type of funding:

Partial funding. The funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable subsidy and the maximum amount is capped at the point it is granted.

Aim/purpose of funding:

• Assistance with the implementation of the Climate Action Programme 2030 passed by the German federal government in autumn 2019
• Reduction of extra cost of acquiring vehicles with alternative drive systems

Who is eligible for funding?

• Companies under private law
• Municipal enterprises and statutory corporations
• Public law entities and registered associations
• In the case of unincorporated owner-operated municipal enterprises, a relevant local authority may file the application
• Hire and leasing entities may also receive funding (in this case the hire or leasing entity is responsible for ensuring fulfilment of any requirements related to the funding.)
• Feasibility studies

Funding conditions, funding level

• Any projects for which a funding application is submitted must not already be under way prior to approval of funding
• A condition of funding for refuelling/charging infrastructure is that the applicant has acquired or will acquire at least one commercial vehicle of EU vehicle categories N1 to N3 with drive systems numbered 2.1 to 2.3 (see funding guidelines)
• Any refuelling/charging infrastructure that is funded must be state of the art and conform to laws on measuring and gauging as well as any applicable legal requirements
• Funding for refuelling/charging infrastructure can only be granted where the applicant specifies a location prior to and at the point of applying
• Applications are assessed on their specific additional investment costs, with the subsidy capped at 80% of these additional costs
• The level of additional investment costs depends on the type of vehicle drive system

Duration of programme:

2 August 2021 to 31 December 2024

Full funding guidelines can be found here (in German).

Further information: Homepage of “Klimafreundliche Nutzfahrzeuge” (Eco-friendly commercial vehicles)

Name of programme:

Erneuerbare Energien – Standard [Renewable energies – standard]

Aim/purpose of funding:

• Constructing, expanding and purchasing facilities for the use of renewable energies, such as battery storage systems, including the associated costs for planning, project development and installation. The facilities need to meet statutory requirements for the development of renewable energies.
• Increasing the flexibility of electricity supply and demand, digitalising the energy transition with the goal of integrating renewable energies into the energy system in a manner that is compatible with this system, such as energy storage systems (power-to-x technologies), load management, measurement and control systems, whether as a stand-alone step or retrofit

Type of funding:

Loan with repayment bonus

Who can receive funding?

• Domestic and overseas private and public companies, regardless of size
• Cooperatives, foundations and associations
• Freelancers
• Farmers
• Municipalities, municipal public authorities and municipalities’ dependent enterprises

Funding conditions, amount of funding:

Up to EUR 50 million per project Up to 100% of your investment costs 100% payment Withdrawable within 12 months of confirmation, either in a single sum or in partial payments Commitment fee of 0.15% per month, starting 6 months and 2 working days after confirmation

Duration of programme, budget:

No time limit at present

Further information

Name of programme:

Bundesförderung für Energieeffizienz in der Wirtschaft [Federal funding for energy efficiency in the economy]

Aim/purpose of funding:

Measures that substantially increase electricity or heating efficiency, thereby contributing to the reduction of energy consumption. In module 3, KfW or BAFA will fund the construction or usage of an energy management system.

Type of funding:

Loan with repayment bonus (KfW) or investment subsidy (BAFA)

Who can receive funding?

• Domestic and overseas commercial enterprises and contractors
• Municipal enterprises
• Freelancers

Farmers are not eligible to receive funding for module 3 (energy management systems).

Funding conditions, amount of funding:

• Training costs are included
• The investment must be operational for a minimum of 3 years.

Loan

• Up to EUR 25 million per project
• Up to 100% of the investment costs eligible for funding.
• Duration of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 20 years

Investment subsidy

• The maximum funding amount is EUR 10 million per investment project, with a funding rate of up to 40 percent of the investment costs eligible for funding

Duration of programme, budget:

No time limit at present

Further information: KfW

Further information: BAFA

Name of programme:

Federal funding for efficient buildings – residential buildings (FFEB RB loan 261)

Type of funding:

Loan with repayment bonus

Aim/purpose of funding:

Energy-efficient construction and renovation of houses and apartments to save energy costs in the long term and thereby protect the climate.

Who does it fund?

• Private individuals such as owners and owners’ associations, tenants and landlords
• Companies, municipal enterprises and freelancers
• All legal persons under private law, such as building associations
• Public law entities and institutions, such as chambers or charitable associations
• Municipalities, social organisations and associations
• Contractors

Funding conditions, amount of funding:

Choice between two forms of financing:

1. Annuity loan: with an annuity loan you pay only the interest for the first few years (initial repayment-free period) – then monthly annuities, which are always the same.

2. Bullet loan: with a bullet loan you pay only the interest over the entire loan period. At the end you pay the total loan amount back as a lump sum.

Construction and purchase of a new “Efficiency House”:

• Maximum loan amount for Efficiency House 40 with sustainability standard EUR 120,000 per residential unit, of which you receive 5% as a repayment bonus, corresponding to a maximum of EUR 6,000
• The repayment bonus reduces the loan amount for you to repay and shortens the loan period
• Repayment bonus is credited on completion of the project (cash payment or bank transfer is not possible)
• Construction support for an Efficiency House 40 with sustainability standard is funded with an additional loan sum and repayment bonus
• Prerequisite: The building application or notification of the residential building is at least five years before the time of application

Renovation of existing property to become an “Efficiency House”:

• Loan amount dependent on the energy efficiency of the renovated property and amount of costs eligible for funding
• For achieving Efficiency House 85 or better, loan amount of up to EUR 120,000 per residential unit
• Maximum loan amount of EUR 150,000 per residential unit on achieving renewable energy standard
• The repayment bonus reduces the loan and shortens the loan period
• Maximum repayment bonus EUR 37,500 per residential unit
• The better the Efficiency House level of the property after renovation, the higher the repayment bonus

Conversion of non-residential space into residential space:

• Funding as for renovation or new construction – depending on the type of non-residential space

Duration of programme:

Ongoing

Information sheet on eligible measures and services

Further information: KFW

Name of programme:

Federal funding for efficient buildings – non-residential buildings (FFEB NRB loan 263)

Type of funding:

Loan with repayment bonus

Aim/purpose of funding:

Implementation of one part of the Federal funding for efficient buildings programme of the BMWK and support for measures to save energy and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Germany.

Who does it fund?

• Private individuals and sole traders
• Freelancers
• Domestic and foreign companies in trade and industry that are majority private-owned
• Municipal enterprises
• Non-profit organisations and churches
• Commercial banks, cooperative banks and savings banks
• Contractors providing energy services to non-residential buildings

Funding conditions, amount of funding:

Construction and purchase of a new efficiency building

• Costs eligible for funding/maximum loan amount are based on the net floor space of the building
• EUR 2,000 per square metre of net floor space
• Maximum EUR 10 million per project (when achieving efficiency building 40 with sustainability standard)
• Of which 5% as repayment bonus, corresponding to a maximum of EUR 500,000
• Repayment bonus is credited on completion of the project

Construction support:

• Funding for construction support with additional loan amount and repayment bonus
• Loan amount can be increased by up to EUR 10 per square metre of net floor space
• Maximum EUR 40,000 per project, when achieving efficiency building 40 with sustainability standard
• Of which 50% as repayment bonus, corresponding to a maximum of EUR 20,000

Sustainability certification:

• Funding of sustainability certification for efficiency building 40 with an additional loan amount
• Maximum amounts as for construction support, of which likewise 50% as repayment bonus

Renovation of existing property to become an efficiency building

• Costs eligible for funding/maximum loan amount are based on the net floor space of the building
• EUR 2,000 per square metre of net floor space, to a maximum of EUR 10 million
• Prerequisite: Achievement of an efficiency building level
• Repayment bonus dependent on the efficiency building level

Construction support:

• Is funded with an additional loan amount and repayment bonus
• Increase of the loan amount by up to EUR 10 per square metre of net floor space
• Maximum EUR 40,000 per project
• Of which 50% as repayment bonus, corresponding to up to EUR 20,000
• Prerequisite: Achievement of a new efficiency building level

Sustainability certification:

• Is funded with an additional loan amount on achieving an efficiency building level with sustainability standard
• Same maximum amounts as for construction support, of which likewise 50% as repayment bonus

Duration of programme:

Ongoing

Complete funding guideline BEG non-residential building loan

Further information: KFW