The German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) presented a position paper on the planned EEG amendment. In it, the association shows how the transformation course that has been embarked upon can be consistently continued and systemically optimized.
“The upcoming EEG amendment will set the course for the future viability of Germany, its energy supply, and its economy. Renewables are now the foundation of the energy system and ensure security of supply, competitiveness, and resilience of the business location. The upcoming EEG amendment must take these realities into account,” explains BEE President Ursula Heinen-Esser.
The BEE’s core demand is to maintain the existing expansion targets for renewable energies, supplemented by a stronger focus on system utility and flexibility. In view of rising electricity demand due to electrification, the establishment of new large consumers such as data centers and the ramp-up of hydrogen, reliable expansion paths are central to ensuring investment security – both for the economy and for consumers.
At the same time, the BEE advocates more efficient use of existing infrastructure while continuing to expand the grid. Flexible grid connection agreements, further development of grid interconnection points, and standardized and digitized grid connection procedures can reduce grid costs and accelerate expansion. “The era of large power plants is coming to an end. The future of electricity is decentralized and renewable. The electricity grid, whose structure dates back to the last century and whose adaptation process still does not do justice to the growth of renewables, must finally orient itself towards this. More flexibility is needed on the generation, transport, and consumption side, as well as decisive digitization for greater transparency and improved controllability,” comments Heinen-Esser.
Another focus for the BEE is on maintaining and specifically increasing the flexibility of controllable renewable energies such as biomass, hydropower, and geothermal energy. These cross-sector technologies make an indispensable contribution to security of supply and must be taken into account in the EEG 2027 in line with their performance.
In order to maintain decentralization and diversity of actors, the BEE emphasizes the need for uniform and practical legal framework conditions. In this way, citizen energy, energy sharing, direct supply models, and simplified participation formats can strengthen regional value creation, acceptance, and resilience.
In order to continue to secure investments, the BEE advocates for the further development of EEG remuneration towards bilateral Contracts for Difference (CfDs) that are practical, low-risk, and based on real revenues. This will prevent financing costs from increasing and preserve the diversity of market players.
“Renewable energies will cover more than half of Germany’s electricity consumption in 2024 and 2025. We are ready to take on significantly more responsibility for energy supply. That is why it is important to set the right framework conditions for the next phase of the energy transition with the EEG 2027, so that renewables can develop their full potential,” Heinen-Esser concluded.
You can find the position paper at this link.
Source: BEE
