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Renewable sources of energy accounted for almost
28 percent of Germany's electricity last year, but only 9.9
percent of its heating, far below a target for a 14 percent
share by 2020.
"Through improved incentives we want to significantly speed up
the expansion of renewable energy in the heating market,"
Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in a statement.
Under the changes, the government has reformed a market
incentive program worth 300 million euros ($318 million), to
include revenue dependent support for solar heat as well as
ambitious efficiency criteria.
The program also envisages a bonus for small and mid-size
companies that invest in renewable sources of heating as well as
grants and loans for bigger companies.
In the aftermath of Japan's Fukushima disaster, Chancellor
Angela Merkel has accelerated a shift away from nuclear power
and fossil fuels towards renewable sources of energy such as
wind, hydro, solar and biomass power.
Last December, the government announced a package of measures to
cut CO2 emissions by up to 78 million tonnes by 2020, including
a national efficiency plan which envisages savings of 25-30
million tonnes of emissions by modernizing buildings and
improving insulation.
($1 = 0.9427 euros)
(Reporting by Caroline Copley, editing by Louise Heavens)
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