Robert Habeck, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, wants to give the energy transition a strong boost this year, but at the same time dampens expectations that are too high.

“Not everything will be feasible in four years”, it said on Monday from the house of the Green politician, before he wants to present his “opening balance sheet for climate protection” on Tuesday of this week in Berlin.

Christian Geinitz

Business correspondent in Berlin

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In order not to be held responsible for possible delays, the ministry refers to the inadequate efforts of the previous government: Due to previous failures "we are starting with a drastic backlog".

The opening balance will show "how much climate protection in Germany is falling short of expectations".

It is likely that the targets will not be met this year, and it will be difficult to meet them in 2023 as well.

Habeck will present the opening balance together with his Secretary of State for Climate Change, Patrick Graichen.

He had previously headed the Agora Energiewende think tank, which warned last week that not only the short-term plans could be missed, but also the milestone in 2030.

Tripling of the CO2 reduction by 2030

By then, German greenhouse gas emissions are expected to fall 65 percent below the 1990 level.

In order to achieve this, the CO2 reduction had to be tripled compared to the previous decade, it said on Monday.

Germany aims to be climate neutral by 2045.

The challenges for the new minister are high.

The share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption has increased from 17 to 42 percent since 2010.

But the goal of 80 percent in eight years is far.

Especially since the demand for electricity will increase sharply by 2030 due to the desired ecological electrification of transport and heat generation.

The expansion of renewables and power grids is not keeping pace with this.

The ministry points out that the construction of new wind turbines in the sea and on land is at its lowest level in ten years.

Federal states have designated fewer areas for wind power

Instead of 2 percent as provided for in the coalition agreement, the federal states had only designated 0.8 percent of the land area for wind power.

The steel industry will need around 15 terawatt hours of green hydrogen by 2030, which alone will require a five-fold increase in total production.

Instead of one million heat pumps as is currently the case, four to six million are needed in 2030.

In order to then operate 15 million electric vehicles, as planned by “Ampel”, 300 charging points would have to be built every day.

In order to catch up, Habeck is planning an immediate climate protection program.

It should be legally concluded in the current year so that it can then take full effect in 2023.

The cabinet plans to adopt a first package of urgent laws in April, including a reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).

In it, the tender volumes are to be increased significantly and planning and approvals are to be accelerated.

For example, the fact that the expansion is anchored in law as "of overriding public interest and serving public safety".

A solar acceleration package provides for a photovoltaic obligation on new buildings as well as improvements in tenant electricity and simplifications for open-space systems.

Building strategy should make half of heat generation climate-neutral

Seven to nine gigawatts of additional wind energy capacity on land would be possible if the expansion could be better reconciled with radio beacons, weather radars and military concerns. Energy-intensive companies want to give the state a hand with climate protection difference agreements. There should also be a new building strategy that is climate-neutral, so that by 2030 half of all heat will be greenhouse gas-neutral.

With changes to the Building Energy Act, the government wants to ensure that by 2025 every newly installed heating system will be powered by at least 65 percent renewable energies. Habeck's house also said that the national hydrogen strategy would be revised this year and that there would be additional funding programs so that around 10 gigawatts of green hydrogen output would be available in 2030, twice as much as previously planned.

There should also be quick financial help for those who are particularly suffering from rising energy prices. Habeck and the traffic light do not only want to abolish the EEG surcharge in 2023. Housing benefit recipients should receive a one-off grant of at least 135 euros because of the high heating costs, according to the agency, according to a bill from the housing ministry that was sent to federal states and associations on Monday. Those who live alone should receive 135 euros. If there are two people in the household, it is 175 euros. For each additional roommate, 35 euros are provided.

The aid should therefore be given to around 710,000 households who received or are receiving housing benefit between October 2021 and March 2022.

In total, the grant is expected to cost the federal government around 130 million euros.

Building Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) had announced that the subsidy should be paid out in the summer - before the utility bills with the heating costs for the winter land in the mailboxes.

The flat-rate heating cost is part of the housing allowance that is paid to low-income households.

Most recently, gas and electricity prices in particular had risen sharply.

Low-cost providers had canceled contracts, which means that many customers are now dependent on the more expensive basic service.