“Reform of the renewables surcharge advances sector coupling”

The renewables surcharge could decrease significantly if the system were based not only on electricity consumption, but also on final energy consumption in the heating and transport sectors, according to a study by the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), commissioned by the Association of Energy Market Innovators (bne). This would advance developments in sector coupling and reflect a more emissions-specific charge on all energy sources, as the consumption of gas, oil, coal, petrol and diesel would become more expensive. “Expanding the basis for the surcharge would have a steering effect at the expense of CO₂-intensive fossil fuels,” said Bernd Hirschl, director for the department of sustainable energy economy and climate protection of the IÖW at a press conference in Berlin. The different scenarios showed additional financial burdens for German households of 10 – 200 euros per year. Current renewables surcharge exemptions for energy intensive industries would remain in place, according to Hirschl.

Read the bne Press release in German here and find the study in German here.