3 THE IMPACT oF GERMAN ENERGY PoLICY oN HoUSEHoLD ENERGY USE
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renewables (11%), derived heat (8%) and solid fuels (1%) providing the
rest (Eurostat 2018b). Germany ranks 6th out of the EU28 in terms of
per capita electricity consumption, with the International Energy Agency
reporting an average consumption of just over 7000 kWh per annum in
2014 (IEA 2014).
Dwelling location, type, size, tenure and household composition are
significant factors in the determination of household energy use. At 40%,
Germany has the third highest proportion of single-person households in
the EU (Eurostat 2019a), which translates into a comparatively higher
average per capita living space. With a predominantly clustered pattern
of settlement, 77% of the 82.9m population live in either an urban or
predominantly urban location, with just 23% classified as living in rural
areas (Eurostat 2019b). Consequently, apartment and other shared
dwellings serve the majority (approx. 60%) of German households, with
the remaining residences consisting of a mixture of detached (26%)
and semi-detached and terraced housing (Eurostat 2019b). The high
instance of apartment living has meant that shared private spaces and services are widespread and culturally acceptable. For example, shared laundering facilities in the basements of apartment complexes are a common
occurrence while utility costs associated with common areas are often
divided among residents.
With regard to tenure, lifelong tenancy is a common and widely
accepted cultural phenomenon in Germany. Germany has the highest
rate of household tenancy (49%) and the lowest rate of home ownership (51%) in the EU (although higher than Switzerland) (Eurostat
2019c). This can be attributed to a mix of both historical redevelopment (inclusion of the private building sector in post-war social housing schemes) and comparatively strong tenancy rights. However, high
tenancy rates have the potential to reduce the market for sustainable
investments if tenants do not receive a share of the benefits, both in
terms of energy saving measures (e.g. retrofitting) and renewable generation (e.g. solar). This has been recognised under recent amendments to the Renewable Energy Act (2014), which ensures that tenants
and landlords both receive a share of return from sustainable energy
investments through a subsidy paid for domestic electricity production
(BMJV 2018).
23
renewables (11%), derived heat (8%) and solid fuels (1%) providing the
rest (Eurostat 2018b). Germany ranks 6th out of the EU28 in terms of
per capita electricity consumption, with the International Energy Agency
reporting an average consumption of just over 7000 kWh per annum in
2014 (IEA 2014).
Dwelling location, type, size, tenure and household composition are
significant factors in the determination of household energy use. At 40%,
Germany has the third highest proportion of single-person households in
the EU (Eurostat 2019a), which translates into a comparatively higher
average per capita living space. With a predominantly clustered pattern
of settlement, 77% of the 82.9m population live in either an urban or
predominantly urban location, with just 23% classified as living in rural
areas (Eurostat 2019b). Consequently, apartment and other shared
dwellings serve the majority (approx. 60%) of German households, with
the remaining residences consisting of a mixture of detached (26%)
and semi-detached and terraced housing (Eurostat 2019b). The high
instance of apartment living has meant that shared private spaces and services are widespread and culturally acceptable. For example, shared laundering facilities in the basements of apartment complexes are a common
occurrence while utility costs associated with common areas are often
divided among residents.
With regard to tenure, lifelong tenancy is a common and widely
accepted cultural phenomenon in Germany. Germany has the highest
rate of household tenancy (49%) and the lowest rate of home ownership (51%) in the EU (although higher than Switzerland) (Eurostat
2019c). This can be attributed to a mix of both historical redevelopment (inclusion of the private building sector in post-war social housing schemes) and comparatively strong tenancy rights. However, high
tenancy rates have the potential to reduce the market for sustainable
investments if tenants do not receive a share of the benefits, both in
terms of energy saving measures (e.g. retrofitting) and renewable generation (e.g. solar). This has been recognised under recent amendments to the Renewable Energy Act (2014), which ensures that tenants
and landlords both receive a share of return from sustainable energy
investments through a subsidy paid for domestic electricity production
(BMJV 2018).