2024-01-03 07:30:43
The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) warns of the decline in sales of heat pumps in Europe. She highlights the importance of public support to ensure their competitiveness in the current energy context.
Europe has committed to installing 30 million heat pumps (PAC) by 2030 as part of the REPowerEU plan. PAC sales should therefore take off. However, the energy transition is resisting. The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) tracks sales in 10 European countries : Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. In these countries, following an increase in sales of 22% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of 2022, sales stagnated in the second quarter, before falling by 14% in the third quarter.
The drop in PAC sales reached 66% in Finland, 56% in Denmark and 45% in Italy. France is in the average with a decrease of 13%. Only Germany stands out with a 60% increase in sales. This difference illustrates the preponderant role of the State and the market in the generalization of low-carbon solutions. In Germany, the government of Olaf Scholz is particularly ambitious on the subject and wants to go even further. After months of controversy, the government coalition’s heating law was adopted in September 2023, report The echoes. From 2024, this law will require new buildings to install heating systems operating at 65% from renewable energy to replace gas and oil boilers. Up to 70% of installation costs may be subsidized to help households.
Heat pumps and aids go hand in hand
To explain this decline in most European countries, the European Heat Pump Association blames first and foremost the evolution of government policies and subsidies, with contradictory signals for individuals. In particular, the action plan for heat pumps was announced by the European Commission for the beginning of 2024. At the end of December, the commission announced that it would postpone its publication until following the European elections. Pending the election of a new Commission, the delay will therefore be considerable.
« Delaying the finalization of this plan until following the elections can only be described as a mistake », estimates the EHPA. She calls on President von der Leyen, Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson and all commissioners to “ re-examine and return urgently » on this report. With such a gap, manufacturers of heat pumps and their components fear for their 7 billion euro investment plan in production capacity and logistics over the next three years.
Reduce the gap between the price of electricity and gas
The European heat pump association also blames the fall in fossil gas prices and the stagnation of electricity prices at particularly high levels. Under these conditions, installing a heat pump seems less attractive in the short term for individuals.
In this context, the association calls for more balanced energy taxation and the gradual elimination of fossil subsidies. In order to stimulate demand for heat pumps, it also calls for reducing taxes and levies on electricity. And this, in order to reduce the often very significant difference between the prices of gas and electricity. Thomas Nowak, general secretary of the EHPA, recommends via press release: “ In the immediate term, policy should aim to reduce the cost of electricity for residential, commercial and industrial applications. This price should not exceed twice the price of fossil gas. »
In France, on January 1, 2024, aid from Ma Prime Rénov’ will increase by 1,000 euros for the installation of an air/water heat pump and by 2,000 euros for a geothermal heat pump for low-income and intermediate households. . To be eligible, you will need to carry out at least two types of insulation work.
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