The bill which will continue to make this possible in the future was presented to the responsible Parliamentary Committee.
The project, which has proven to be very popular, will also offer several new aspects.
MP Semray Ahmedova from the Green Party (Déi Gréng) points out that the National Energy and Climate Plan is very ambitious and aims to achieve 3% of old-building renovation per year, a goal which is still very far away. Ahmedova is the rapporteur of the draft bill for the amended ‘PRIMe House’ subsidies.
To achieve the National Energy and Climate Plan’s goal faster, the offer of subsidies in this area will be expanded as well as increased. For instance, while all types of insulation material will continue to be subsidised, residents will now receive higher subsidies if they switch to more ecological materials.
The young Green Party politician knows the consulting service provided by ‘Klima-Agence’ well. That’s because she worked at the national agency for the promotion of the transition to sustainable energy (formerly known as MyEnergy) herself.
Ahmedova acknowledges that simplifying the administrative process was necessary. Up until now, an energy consultation could only be provided for the dwelling as a whole. Under the new bill, residents will be able to request individual consultations, for instance only for windows or a roof. The hope is that this will “motivate” a greater number of residents to move ahead with plans to improve the energy performance of their home, Ahmedova explains.
In the future, it will also be possible to directly contact a certified craftsperson for the consultation.
MP Paul Galles from the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV), who is in charge of energy and climate issues within the opposition party, remains sceptical, seeing as the authorities still struggle to cope with the sheer number of applications. Over time, many people “lose courage” because the process takes too long or becomes too complicated, Galles criticises.
The MP also fears that the measures aimed at simplifying the administrative process may not have been entirely thought through.
Around 9,000 people requested a consultation at Klima-Agence in 2021. Compared to four years ago, the number has doubled. Klima-Agence itself states that there is always a potential to simplify or digitalise procedures. From 2017 until today, the subsidies have cost the state €73.2 million.
