“Better chances for citzens’ energy”

The government coalition has agreed last-minute changes to the contested reform of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) in order to boost citizen energy projects, reports Michael Bauchmüller in Süddeutsche Zeitung. Citizen energy projects need to participate at renewable auctions from next year, but they will automatically receive the highest feed-in tariff successful at the tender. “This leaves the door open for citizen energy,” said MP Josef Göppel from the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU). In addition, regional states are free to bolster citizen projects by other means, according to Bauchmüller. The reform of the Renewable Energy Act is to be agreed by parliament on Friday.

Read the article in German here.

For background, consult the new CLEW dossier The reform of the Renewable Energy Act, the factsheet EEG reform 2016 – switching to auctions for renewables, as well as the dossier The People's Energiewende.