Energy Efficiency Incentive Measures and Experiences in Germany 2017

China’s government attaches great importance to energy saving and energy efficiency to minimize adverse environmental impacts, address global climate change and to improve sustainability.

Group photo of Chinese delegation at BMWi.
Group photo of Chinese delegation at BMWi.

Although energy intensity has declined by 18.2% within the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), China’s energy efficiency still remains low compared to many developed countries. By 2020, China plans to reduce its energy intensity by 15% and to decouple economic growth from energy consumption. As Europe's largest economy, Germany leads the world in energy conservation and environmental protection. To learn from Germany's experiences and strengthen the capacities within China's energy conservation sector, the Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection Division of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) organized a study tour to Germany, including dedicated workshops with relevant German government departments, associations, think tanks and companies. Participants of the study tour came from NDRC and its regional departments in Tibet, Jiangsu and Sichuan Province. Moreover, the National Energy Conservation Center (NECC), the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS), the Secretary Bureau of General Office of the State Council, the Energy Efficiency Center of Shanghai, the Project Approval Centre of Jiangxi provincial government, the Energy Conservation Supervision Center of Guizhou Province, and the Engineering Consulting Center of Guangxi Province also sent participants.

The training program provided participants with comprehensive knowledge on Germany's energy efficiency laws, standards and certification, low-carbon planning, project assessment, key technologies, energy efficiency financing and best practices. The topics focused on:

  • Policies and mechanisms to support energy efficiency measures
  • Energy efficiency in industry: market entry, challenges
  • Financing of energy efficiency projects: barriers and solutions
  • Energy Management System ISO 50001
  • Industrial Showcases
  • Energy Efficiency in buildings: passive house and plus-energy standard
  • Concept of energy efficiency and low carbon city quarters or industry parks