Structural change: Replacement of old heating systems: Significantly more funding applications

The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bafa) has received significantly more applications for funding for the replacement of old heating systems. The agency said about 47,500 applications were filed in the first quarter.

This corresponds to an increase of 164 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The programme promotes the replacement of old heating systems in favour of climate-friendly alternatives. It has been significantly expanded in the course of the Federal Government’s climate protection programme.

A substantial part of the applications of the funding programme will be processed at the new Bafa branch in Weißwasser in Upper Lusatia (Saxony). It was officially opened on Monday. The field office with a target size of more than 100 employees has already started its work.

At a video conference with a view to the new Bafa branch in Upper Lusatia, Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier (CDU) spoke of an important signal for the region. The federal government is keeping its word on its promise to create thousands of new jobs in the coal regions by setting up new authorities. Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) said the establishment of the new branch office was a great success for the city and Lusatia. The federal agency creates many new jobs and thus permanently strengthens purchasing power throughout the region.

The new branch office will also be responsible for the planned adjustment allowance for employees of the lignite mining districts in the course of the planned coal phase-out. Germany is to phase out climate-damaging coal-fired power generation by 2038 at the latest.

Altmaier made it clear that two key laws on the phase-out of coal should be passed by the Bundestag by the summer recess. This concerns a law on structural aid for the coal regions and a law with a precise timetable for the phase-out of coal.