Economics Minister Robert Habeck warns of “empty promises”

Which technologies should replace oil and gas for heating? Economics Minister Habeck finds a proposal unhelpful.

Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) has warned against placing too much focus on hydrogen technology in the heating law. He was “proud of every change that makes the law better,” Habeck told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung”. But there is “a tricky point, and that is the hydrogen”. He would be happy if gas heaters could run on hydrogen. “I’m just afraid that it’s not enough for that.”

The government had only recently settled its dispute over the heating law and is now giving even higher priority to hydrogen technology, among other things. This involves heating systems that can in principle be operated with hydrogen, so-called “H2-Ready heaters”. However, experts warn that hydrogen will remain a “scarce and expensive commodity” for the foreseeable future and see it as a “niche function” at best.

The existing hydrogen is first needed for areas such as the steel industry, in which the transformation does not work otherwise, Habeck also said. “Therefore, it must be reliably clarified for the heaters whether and where hydrogen is really available for heating.” “No empty promises” should be made to consumers, otherwise they would end up “with a hydrogen heater without hydrogen”.

The installation of a gas heating system that can be converted to hydrogen remains compliant with the current legislative proposals – either if the municipal heating plan provides for a climate-neutral gas network or if the heating can also be operated with hydrogen that is not connected to the grid.

Against this background, Green leader Ricarda Lang warned urgently against installing fossil fuel heating systems. “Those who convince people that gas and oil heating systems are worthwhile are actively deceiving consumers,” she told the Funke newspapers at the weekend. “The time when new oil and gas heating should be installed is over.”

Fossil fuel prices would skyrocket over the next few years, Lang said. “Oil and gas heating systems are economically unreasonable.”

After the heating dispute had been settled, Habeck called on the government to unite. It is not good if the government constantly argues. “If the government is constantly at odds in a time of crisis, that doesn’t create trust. Uncertainty turns into fear, fear into frustration and frustration into anger all too easily.”

The government actually has a good balance sheet, emphasized the Vice Chancellor. “We have prevented a gas shortage, energy prices are falling, there is enormous momentum in the expansion of renewable energies,” he made clear. “Nevertheless, we keep putting obstacles in our way. Maybe we can use the moment to get better,” added Habeck. With the agreement on the heating law, it has hopefully been possible to “resolve the contradiction between general approval and specific concerns”.