EEW amendment: transformation concepts and other changes at a glance
Since its amendment on November 1, 2021, the previous Federal Funding for Energy Efficiency in the Economy (EEW) has been called Federal Funding for Energy and Resource Efficiency in the Economy. What else has changed?
There have been minor changes to the previous four modules and one new module has been added:
Module 1: Cross-cutting technologies
Everything remained the same here: Large companies receive up to 30% funding for individual measures to increase energy or resource efficiency, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) receive 40%.
Module 2: Process heat from renewable energies
Nothing new here either: 45% (SMEs 55%) is provided for corresponding plant technology if more than half of the heat is used to manufacture or refine products.
Module 3: I&C, sensor technology and energy management software
with the aim of reducing energy consumption are funded at 30% (SMEs 40%). New: ISO 50001 or EMAS are no longer a prerequisite.
Module 4: Energy and resource-related optimization of systems and processes
More extensive measures than in Module 1 are funded at 30% (40% for SMEs), up to a maximum of €500 per ton of CO2 saved. For SMEs, the maximum amount has been raised from €700 to €900 per tonne of CO2 saved. Also new: the reduction of resources is being promoted. The basis is a resource catalog that lists materials such as paper, concrete or gases as well as waste with their CO2 equivalents. The reduction can be quantified on the basis of these CO2 equivalents. The savings concept must be drawn up by an efficiency expert who is listed with BAFA.
Module 5: Transformation concepts
The new module promotes a longer-term strategy for decarbonization. This transformation concept must cover at least ten years and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40%.
What must a transformation concept include?
- an assessment of the ACTUAL and TARGET state: the ACTUAL state describes the current greenhouse gas balance according to Scope 1 and 2, the TARGET state must be at least 40% lower
- an action plan with which the TARGET status can be achieved
- at least one measure eligible for EEW funding
- the goal of achieving CO2 neutrality by 2045 at the latest
- a description of how the company is anchoring the transformation concept in its structure
The transformation concept must be submitted no later than 12 months after approval. If there are important reasons, e.g. delays with the consultants commissioned or with the installation of the necessary measurement and control technology, the deadline can be extended to a maximum of 24 months. Companies have up to 5 years to implement the measures described in the transformation concept.
Who is eligible to apply?
The same groups are eligible to apply for a transformation concept as for modules 1-4 of the EEW, namely
- private and municipal commercial enterprises with business premises or branches in Germany
- freelancers with permanent establishments in Germany
What is funded as part of a transformation concept?
Eligible costs are
- for the preparation and certification of a CO2 balance sheet
- for energy consultants and other consulting activities if the efficiency expert is listed with BAFA
❗️ A company can also create a transformation concept itself, but its expenses are then not eligible for funding.
- for measurements, data collection and data procurement required to create the transformation concept
👉🏼 Tip: It may be worth submitting a parallel application in Module 3 of the EEW
- for other activities related to the creation of the transformation concept, e.g. for cross-company consulting
How much funding is available?
The funding rate is 50% (60% SMEs) of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of €80,000.
Where can funding applications be submitted?
Applications can be submitted to the project management organization VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH online via the easy-Online portal.
You can also obtain more detailed information in our webinar, which you can watch here at any time.