Cold Climate Directive

The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Directive of the National Climate Protection Initiative (NKI) promotes the nationwide use of energy-efficient refrigeration and air conditioning systems with non-halogenated refrigerants in stationary applications. The goal is to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases, lower electricity consumption, and promote sustainable technologies in climate protection. Funding is provided for both the new installation and retrofitting of modern refrigeration units as well as the efficiency upgrading of existing small systems. The integration of renewable energies such as solar systems or heat pumps, as well as the use of free cooling technology, complete the range. The funding program is implemented by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) as the project sponsor and provides grants based on fixed amounts. Applications can be submitted electronically between March 1, 2024, and December 31, 2026.

Eligible applicants include companies, municipal and non-profit organizations, educational institutions, hospitals, and church institutions as operators of stationary systems. Eligible expenses include components, storage systems, and hydrocarbon replacement in existing small systems, but not retail refrigeration furniture. A prerequisite for funding is the use of non-halogenated refrigerants and a BAFA Efficiency Check result protocol from 20 kW. For application, technical and commercial documents according to the information sheet as well as the electronic form in the BAFA portal are required. The funded measures significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and sustainably lower operating costs. Interested stakeholders can use the funding calculator to estimate initial funding amounts and thus advance the planning of energy-efficient modernizations at an early stage.