Energy ministers from 7 states of Germany want the federal Energy Ministry to accelerate renewable energy expansion and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports
In light of the escalating crisis in the Middle East, they express concern regarding renewed uncertainty in the global energy markets
They see renewables as providing energy independence while providing affordable, clean electricity, making Germany’s energy supply future-proof
In a joint letter, they demand continued support for the rooftop solar segment with subsidies instead of pushing them towards direct electricity marketing
The states argue that expanding and modernizing power grids, improving building energy efficiency, and supporting renewable heating systems are essential for long-term energy security
As the crisis in the Middle East escalates, Energy Ministers of 7 German states are urging the federal government to consistently pursue renewable energies and protect consumers from ‘unpredictable price roulette’ due to the country’s reliance on fossil fuel imports.
The Energy Ministers of Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hamburg, Bremen, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein have written a joint letter to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche, to demand decisive action for an affordable and secure energy supply for the citizens.
“The recent developments in the Middle East and the resulting uncertainty in global energy markets once again highlight Germany’s vulnerability in energy policy. Forecasts of rising gas, oil, and LNG prices suggest significant burdens for consumers and the economy,” reads the letter.
They demand, “Therefore, decisive steps are now needed to make our energy supply independent of fossil fuel imports, affordable, and future-proof.”
Reiche’s proposed plans to pull back subsidies for rooftop solar as part of the draft Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) have the states worried. They demand that the government encourage households to contribute to energy transition with solar installations instead of creating ‘unnecessary obstacles’ for them (see Germany Mulling End To Subsidies For Small-Scale Solar Systems).
Notably, German solar association BSW-Solar says the Reiche’s ministry is planning massive cuts to new solar power installations, referring to a leaked draft amendment to the EEG. It proposes to completely eliminate subsidies for new private solar power systems, and operators of new small-scale PV systems will be required to sell the electricity they generate directly on the power exchange instead of getting guaranteed payments.
Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) energy economics expert Dr. Verena Fluri echoes this concern, saying that a switch to direct marketing would significantly worsen the profitability of small PV systems and make new systems unprofitable.
In the joint letter, State Energy Ministers also argue that grid operators are not yet ready for the planned shift to direct marketing under the draft EEG. Until this problem is resolved, “we reject any changes that would represent a setback in this segment focused on citizen participation.”
Earlier this year, a broad German alliance of industry and civil groups also urged the federal government to continue subsidies for rooftop solar (see German Alliance Urges Government To Keep Rooftop Solar Support).
To make wind and solar more affordable, the need of the hour is to strategically expand electricity grids and use these more intelligently, argue the ministers.
They call on Reiche to make buildings energy-efficient and enable consumers to switch to renewable heating systems under the Building Modernization Act, instead of prolonging the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. “Anyone investing in a new heating system today needs planning certainty. For example, it must not happen that citizens invest in new gas heating systems with the planned new green gas quota and later find themselves without a reliable supply due to a lack of biogas capacity,” they explain.
“We need energy policy independence that breaks free from the warlike dictates of fossil fuels – to protect people in war zones and for the benefit of consumers in Germany,” stressed Rheinland-Palatinate Energy Minister Katrin Eder in Mainz.
Baden-Württemberg Energy Minister Thekla Walker adds, “If we continue to rely on fossil fuel imports, we will continue to be exposed to unpredictable price roulette.”
