On December
19, the European Commission endorsed under EU State aid rules German plans to
progressively apply renewable energy surcharges to certain self-suppliers of
electricity.
The
surcharge reform will contribute to lower electricity bills for consumers, in a
sustainable way for existing self-suppliers, the EU’s competition chief said.
“It is
important that the costs of the energy transition in Germany are distributed
fairly between different German electricity consumers,” EU Competition
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said. “At the same time, where consumers have
made investments in good faith to produce their own electricity, the rules
should be changed in a way that is sustainable. The reform of the renewable
energy surcharge in Germany tries to strike the right balance and we approved
it today,” she added.
With the
decision on December 19, the Commission has endorsed German plans on the
exemptions and reductions of the EEG surcharge for all existing self-suppliers
of electricity, i.e. having entered into operation before August 2014, new
self-suppliers, i.e. having entered into operation as of August 2014, using
renewable energy sources and new small self-supply installations.
The
Commission said the EC is in ongoing, constructive contact with the German
authorities on the issue of reductions for new cogeneration installations used
for the self-supply of electricity and heat, which are not covered by this
decision.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/eu-approves-german-renewable-energy-surcharge/