“We want to work hand in hand with citizens and businesses, and not focus our strategy on bans or obligations,” explains (DP), minister for the economy, SMEs, energy and tourism. Alongside the minister for the environment, climate and biodiversity (CSV), he presented and defended the work on updating the final version of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP, which stands for plan national intégré en matière d'énergie et de climat) to the committee of MPs on 16 May, at the request of the political group Déi Gréng.

“On the final goal of the NECP and the objectives to be achieved, we are all in agreement, but some opposition MPs would take other paths than those we have chosen to get there.” At the meeting on 16 May, , a Déi Gréng MP and former minister for the environment, climate and sustainable development----criticised the government in particular “for the fact that the new NECP no longer mentions that faulty fossil heaters will have to be replaced by 2027, if Luxembourg does not meet its climate targets.”

Voluntary approach favoured

The last version of the NECP----drafted by the previous coalition, mentioned in measure no. 302 the phase-out of fossil heaters with regard to the decarbonisation of buildings. The phase-out applies to the replacement of an existing boiler that is out of service or no longer authorised under current regulations, rather than an obligation to replace a (fossil fuel) heating system that is still working properly.

Measure no. 302 explained that “the government is initially promoting a voluntary approach, by providing citizens and businesses with a wide range of easy-to-implement solutions coordinated at national, regional and local level. If the voluntary approach proves sufficient and effective, it will be maintained and there will be no need to move on to a ban-based approach.”

A gradual evolution

The same document went on to state that, should the voluntary approach prove insufficient, “or even too slow, it is envisaged to authorise the replacement of heating installations in existing buildings (for all types of buildings, both functional and residential) exclusively with heating installations that are operated with a minimum of 70% renewable energy. In order to provide a clear picture of how the requirements will evolve, this phase-out will, where appropriate, be announced in advance by legislation/regulations with a transitional phase and precise effective dates for oil-fired boilers and natural gas boilers.”

It is this measure, no. 302, that has been amended by the current government. “The voluntary approach has been maintained, but the announcement of a possible ban-based approach has been removed,” explains Delles. “We have also adopted a new trajectory for the phase-out of fossil-fired heating: the proportion of renewable energy when fossil-fired boilers are replaced will be 50% up to 2030, rising linearly to 75% in 2040 and 100% in 2050.” The previous version of the text stipulated that only the replacement of heating installations using a minimum of 70% renewable energy would be authorised by 2030.

Awaiting new support

These decisions have also prompted a reaction from Meco. In a press release, the environmental movement explained that “this measure is of vital importance, particularly for rental flats. Because if the pressure on landlords to install renewable heating systems is completely removed, their interest in taking action will unfortunately inevitably diminish.”

Meco also raises the subject of grants such as the Klimabonus Wunnen or the Klimabonus Mobilitéit, which were extended until the end of June last January. “I can’t yet say what will happen to them, as we’ll be communicating on the subject shortly. But what is certain is that we are going to continue to support and help households and businesses to switch to renewable energy,” said Delles. The updated version of the NECP will be published during the summer.

This article was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.