ERP-Environment and Energy Saving Programme

The Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW) (formerly the "Deutsche Ausgleichsbank" (DtA) has provided low-interest loans for private companies, freelancers and public private partnerships who take suitable measures to save energy, or who plan to use renewable energies since 2003. Credit terms vary between ten and twenty years with a redemption-free initial phase of two to five years. Interest rates depend on the credit rating of the applicant. The annual percentage rate ranged between 4% and 7% in 2006. Normally, the interest rates are slightly below market level. A maximum of 50% of the total investment is eligible for funding. Loans taken out with this programme can be combined with loans offered under the KfW-Environment-Programme. Traditionally the main beneficiary of the ERP-Environment and Energy-Savings Programme has been the wind power sector. However, the support for solar photovoltaics has recently grown. Between 1990 and 2005, loans with a total volume of EUR 10.7 billion have been extended.