BAFA EEW: fund your efficiency upgrades.
The federal EEW programme co-funds measures that cut energy and resource use in your operations, from process heat to energy-management systems. We size the right module and run the application.
Federal funding for efficiency in industry
EEW (Bundesförderung für Energie- und Ressourceneffizienz in der Wirtschaft) is a BMWK programme, run by the BAFA EEW, that co-funds investments which measurably cut energy and resource consumption in companies.
It is organised in modules, from cross-cutting technologies and process heat to energy-management systems and full process optimisation. We identify the module with the best rate for your project. See who qualifies further down.
The six EEW modules
EEW is organised into six modules. Each project is funded under the module that fits the measure, we identify the one with the best rate for your case.
Cross-cutting technologies
Efficient motors, pumps, fans, compressed-air and other standard technologies replaced with high-efficiency equipment.
Process heat from renewables
Solar-thermal, heat pumps and biomass plants that supply renewable process heat to your operations.
Sensors & energy-management software
Measurement, control and metering technology plus energy-management software (incl. ISO 50001 setups).
Waste-heat use
Plant that captures and reuses waste heat from your processes instead of losing it.
Process & plant optimisation
Energy-related optimisation of existing plants and processes, and transformation concepts toward climate neutrality.
Electrification & efficient new plant
Switching processes to electricity and renewable energy, and energy-efficient new installations.
Open to most companies, with one timing rule
EEW is broad: there's no sector restriction. What matters is a measurable saving and that you apply at the right moment.
Companies of any size and most sectors qualify; the rate is higher for SMEs.
The investment must fit one of the six modules, from cross-cutting tech to electrification.
The measure must demonstrably reduce energy or resource use (or CO₂), which we quantify for the application.
The application must be in before the measure begins; starting early disqualifies it.
What EEW pays, by company size
EEW reimburses a share of the eligible investment. Smaller companies receive a bonus, so the rate is highest for SMEs. You can take it as a BAFA grant, or, for some measures, as a low-interest KfW loan with a repayment subsidy.
| Company size | Modules 1–4 | Modules 5–6 |
|---|---|---|
| Small | up to 60% | up to 50% |
| Medium | up to 50% | up to 40% |
| Large | up to 40% | up to 30% |
Indicative. Exact rates follow the current EEW directive and depend on module, company size and the share of CO₂ savings; a competitive-tender route exists for large savings.
A grant, or a loan, your choice
Every EEW measure can be taken as a non-repayable BAFA grant or as a low-interest KfW loan with a repayment subsidy. You choose one per measure, never both.
Non-repayable cash
A direct subsidy on the eligible investment, from about 10% to 60% depending on the module, your company size and the CO\u2082 saved. Administered by BAFA. Best when you can finance the rest yourself and want the simplest route.
Loan with repayment subsidy
A low-interest KfW loan whose technical requirements match the grant, with part of the principal forgiven as a repayment subsidy. Applied for through your own bank. Best when you want to finance the whole investment over time.
EEW funds processes and plant, not buildings, and never retroactively: apply before you start, and from 2024 begin only after the grant decision. Funded equipment must stay in service for at least three years.
What EEW funds, and what it doesn't
EEW funds the investment in efficient plant and processes, never the building envelope or its running costs.
High-efficiency motors, pumps, fans and compressors; renewable process heat; energy-management software and MSR sensing.
The external service of writing a roadmap to climate neutrality (Module 5), consulting and measurements included.
Insulation, windows and building heating belong to the BEG. Running costs and general IT (PCs, servers) are out too.
Costs committed before the grant decision, or already funded via EEG/KWKG or a KfW loan, forfeit the grant.
Cost basis and the decarbonisation bonus
Two choices quietly decide how large your grant is.
Funds the whole investment. Always the basis for Basis funding and for De-minimis Premium measures.
Funds only the extra cost of the efficient option, at a higher rate. A Module 4 Premium choice under the GBER.
+5 points on total cost, or +10 on extra cost, for waste-heat use, electrification with renewable power, or green hydrogen.
See if your measure qualifies for EEW
Tell us about your project. A funding advisor reviews your case by hand, then either comes back with feedback or a few follow-up questions. No obligation.
- Whether EEW is the right fit
- A first read on the funding amount
- What to prepare before you apply
From first call to funding
Four steps. You stay focused on the work; we handle the funding end to end, on a success-based fee.
Eligibility check
We review your project against the programme's criteria, confirm it qualifies and give you a realistic figure before you commit any time.
Application
You tell us what you are working on; we build the application, write the technical case and manage the entire submission for you.
Submission & review
We file with the responsible authority in your name and handle every query through to the funding decision.
Funding
Once approved, we prepare the required reporting so the funding is released to you, accurately documented and on time.
BAFA EEW in practice
Real projects we have taken through BAFA EEW, from first scoping to the funding decision. Anonymised, figures as orders of magnitude.
How a manufacturing SME secured a BAFA EEW grant to replace compressed-air and motor systems with…
Read the story
How an industrial company secured a BAFA EEW grant to convert an energy-intensive process, with the…
Read the story
How a food producer secured a BAFA EEW grant to switch process heat to a large heat pump, replacing…
Read the storyIndustries we fund
We've secured German and EU funding across the innovation economy. If you're doing genuine development, your field almost certainly fits.
BAFA EEW guides
Long-form explainers from our knowledge hub, for teams who want the detail before they talk to us.
The six EEW modules
Which module fits your measure, and the best rate.
Read more → GuideGrant vs. KfW credit
Taking EEW as a grant or a low-interest loan with a subsidy.
Read more → GuideProving your savings
How energy and resource savings are calculated for the claim.
Read more → GuideApply before you invest
The timing rule and how we prepare the BAFA submission.
Read more → GuideThe six EEW modules
Which module fits your measure, and the best rate.
Read more → GuideGrant vs. KfW credit
Taking EEW as a grant or a low-interest loan with a subsidy.
Read more → GuideProving your savings
How energy and resource savings are calculated for the claim.
Read more → GuideApply before you invest
The timing rule and how we prepare the BAFA submission.
Read more →BAFA EEW questions, answered
The basics on modules, rates and timing.
Companies in Germany investing in measures that cut energy or resource use. Most sectors qualify; the test is a measurable saving.
Up to roughly 50% of eligible costs, depending on the module and your company size. Larger savings can route through a competitive tender.
EEW splits into modules, cross-cutting technologies, process heat from renewables, waste-heat use, energy-management systems and process optimisation. Each project uses the best-fitting one.
Yes. The application must be in before the measure starts. We make sure the timing is right.
Nothing upfront, our fee is success-based and only due once the grant is approved.
Ask us anything
Tell us about your project and we'll assess your case by hand. No prep, no obligation. Prefer to talk?