The Greens presented their own legislative proposals during a debate on the future development of renewable energy in Germany. In particular, we are talking about adapting the Law on Renewable Energy Sources (EEG). The EEG in its current form only has so-called state aid approval from the EU until the end of this year. This is necessary for certain subsidies so as not to distort competition within the market. Therefore, subsequent legislation is needed to further ensure the promotion of renewable energy in Germany.
The problem from the Greens’ point of view: Federal government – and in particular Federal Energy Minister Katerina Reiche (CDU) – is not making any progress with the necessary amendment to the EEG. Therefore, the opposition party is now applying pressure with its own project. The proposal takes into account the federal government’s comments, which are already known through leaks in the bill.
Greens However, their project is limited to two points that, according to the party, are necessary for a new approval of the funding system by the EU Commission. They propose a mechanism that ensures that when electricity prices are high, the excess profits generated by subsidized systems (from 100 kilowatts of installed capacity) will be removed. In other words, income that is not necessary for the economic operation of the system. However, the financing system itself must be preserved. The Greens also included so-called sustainability tenders in the project. The goal is to strengthen supply chains and domestic production.
Greens fear ‘massive uncertainty for the entire energy industry’
“The government is now putting thousands of jobs at risk by delaying, week after week, a long-overdue cabinet decision on the Renewable Energy Act (EEG),” charged Greens MP Katrin Uhlig of the black-red coalition. If new state aid approval for EEG is not received by the end of the year, the existing financing system for renewable energy in Germany will no longer apply. “The result: huge uncertainty for the entire energy industry,” Uhlig added. The bill is not “green”, “but must be approved CDUCSU and SPD, because these are actually their proposals.”
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The first project of the Reiche Ministry of Federal Economics became known in March. He wants to cut costs and tailor the expansion of wind and solar systems more closely to the slow expansion of the grid. Renewable energy system operators must become more involved in financing network expansion. There is talk of eliminating funding for new small rooftop solar systems. This has drawn much criticism from renewable energy and green associations as they fear the expansion of solar power could be stalled.
According to the Federal Ministry of Economics, the project is currently undergoing “constructive and confidential approval by the federal government.” According to participants, the ministry announced in the Economic Committee of the Bundestag that it would carry out the reform through the cabinet in July. The Greens reacted with skepticism. “Still Katerina Reich “Everyone’s schedule has been blown up,” said Green MP Michael Kellner. “Katerina Reiche should not go on vacation until the problem is resolved.”
Based on materials from news agencies Reuters and dpa.
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