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Germany EnEfG amendment bill 2026 (Gesetz zur Beschleunigung der Umsetzung der Energieeffizienzrichtlinie)

ProposedGermany (federal)Proposal, not binding

The federal cabinet approved a bill on 24 June 2026 that rewrites EnEfG section 11. In the Bundestag printed bill (21/8027) existing data centres would face PUE 1.6 from 1 July 2027 and 1.4 from 1 July 2030 instead of 1.5 and 1.3. New sites keep PUE 1.2 and the 10/15/20% reused-energy steps, but get four years instead of two to comply. Internal heat use (for example heating own offices) would count toward reused energy, and the share could be undercut where a heat-network connection exists. The 100% renewable electricity date would move from 2027 to 1 January 2030. The Bundesrat issued its opinion on 10 July 2026 and asked for neighbourhood, direct-supply and industrial heat solutions to be recognised. First reading in the Bundestag took place on 24 September 2026.

Current status

Government bill in parliamentary procedure. Not law as of 18 October 2026. Committee hearing reported for 5 October 2026 (secondary source). Final vote date not published. An earlier ministry draft (4 May 2026) showed bracketed PUE 1.3 for new sites, but the printed bill shows 1.2.

Who it applies to

Would replace EnEfG § 11 for all data centres within the EnEfG definition.

Exceptions: Bill adds a further exception for reused energy where no technically and economically reasonable heat-network connection exists, shown by cost-benefit analysis (draft text, to be confirmed in final law).

What it means for cooling and power

If passed, near-term retrofit pressure on existing German sites eases and the renewable-supply deadline moves out three years. Heat-reuse obligations for new builds stay, but compliance routes widen. Suppliers should avoid quoting either set of values as final until the law is promulgated.

Editorial: business implications, not legal advice.

History

  1. 24 Sept 2026: Bundestag first reading, referred to Committee for Economic Affairs and Energy
  2. 10 Jul 2026: Bundesrat opinion (Drucksache 388/26)
  3. 24 Jun 2026: Cabinet decision

Related policy

Markets

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Lifecycle

  1. Proposed or announced24 Jun 2026
  2. Consultationnot reached
  3. Adoptednot reached
  4. In effectnot reached

Government bill in parliamentary procedure. Not law as of 18 October 2026. Committee hearing reported for 5 October 2026 (secondary source). Final vote date not published. An earlier ministry draft (4 May 2026) showed bracketed PUE 1.3 for new sites, but the printed bill shows 1.2.

Sources (5), last checked 18 Oct 2026
  1. Drucksache 21/8027: Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Beschleunigung der Umsetzung der Energieeffizienzrichtlinie (opens in a new tab), Deutscher Bundestag, published 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
  2. Bundesrat Drucksache 388/26 (Beschluss): Stellungnahme (opens in a new tab), Bundesrat, published 10 Jul 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
  3. Bundeskabinett beschließt Energieeffizienzgesetz (press release) (opens in a new tab), BMWE, published 24 Jun 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
  4. EnEfG vor der Neuausrichtung? Bundestag berät über Umsetzung der EED (opens in a new tab), GUTcert, published 2026-09, accessed 18 Oct 2026
  5. Energieeffizienzgesetz (EnEfG) § 11 Klimaneutrale Rechenzentren (opens in a new tab), Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed 18 Oct 2026

Last checked 18 Oct 2026 by CoolPower Index research (automated, sourced). Report a correction.

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