The German legal framework for combined heat and power (CHP) as well as Trigeneration (combined cooling, heat and power) power plants is structured by a wide range of acts and ordinances. Most important, depending on the fuel used, are the combined heat and power act (CHP-Act) (in German: Kraft-Wärme-Kopplungsgesetz (KWKG)) and the Renewable Energy Act (in German: Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (EEG)).
- Combined Heat and Power Act (KWKG): Relevant in particular for electricity generation from CHP power plants using fossil fuels e.g. natural gas, oil fuel, liquid gas.
- Renewable Energy Act (EEG): Relevant in particular for electricity generation from CHP power plants using renewable fuels e.g. biogas, wood.
Moreover, also relevant for CHP and trigeneration power plants, depending on the case of application, are the following acts and ordinances:
- Energy Tax Act (Energiesteuergesetz (EnergieStG))
- Electricity Tax Act (Stromsteuergesetz (StromStG))
- Renewable Energy Heat Act (Erneuerbare-Energien-Wärmegesetz (EEWärmeG))
- German Energy Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz (EnWG))
- Federal Emission Control Act of Germany (Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz (BImSchG)
- Energy Saving Ordinance (Energieeinsparverordnung (EnEV))
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulation (Treibhausgas-Emissionshandelsgesetz – TEHG)