display

At its penultimate meeting this year on Tuesday, the Senate decided on details of the controversial solar roof requirement and the integration of renewable energies when replacing heating systems.

According to the Hamburg Climate Protection Act, photovoltaic systems must be installed on the roofs of new buildings from 2023 and at least 15 percent of the heat energy requirement must be met from renewables from the middle of next year when the heating is replaced.

In the ordinance that has now been adopted for the law that was passed a year ago, implementation details and exceptions are specified, according to the environmental authority.

"Break with morality"

The associations of the housing industry called the decision “inconsiderate, arrogant and unconfident” and a “break with morality”.

The ordinance means higher ancillary housing costs for hundreds of thousands of tenants, according to a joint statement by the associations BFW Landesverband Nord, Landowner Association Hamburg, IVD Nord and Association of Northern German Housing Companies.

The associations also feel that they are not sufficiently involved.

In order to achieve the Paris climate goals, Hamburg must also make great efforts, stressed Environment Senator Jens Kerstan (Greens).

"We can and must all make a significant contribution to the buildings through renewable electricity and climate-friendly heat," he said.

"Especially in densely built-up urban areas, it is important to use suitable areas, preferably several times."

Authority expects high savings

display

According to the environmental authority, the photovoltaic requirement alone can save 60,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2030. In addition to the new buildings, solar systems must also be installed from 2025 on in existing buildings where the roof will be completely renewed.

Although the housing industry is behind the goal of making Hamburg a climate-neutral city by 2050, the associations said.

"But we also say: The majority of Hamburgers will only support this if we take away their worries about the unaffordable home."