The operators of the electricity transmission networks are demanding additional billions in money from the federal government. FDP energy politician Kruse says: The costs of expanding renewables are exploding.
The FDP sees an even larger financing gap in the expansion of renewable energies in Germany. “The costs of expanding renewable energy are exploding,” said Michael Kruse, energy policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, in Berlin. There is a risk of a gap of 17 billion euros in the so-called EEG account. The “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” had previously reported on it.
The operators of the German electricity transmission networks had demanded an additional 7.8 billion euros from the federal government, according to a letter from the heads of the four transmission system operators to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. It must be ensured that there are no significant impacts on the financing and implementation of the urgently needed network expansion.
High EEG financing puts a strain on the federal budget
Specifically, it is about a need for financing according to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). The four transmission system operators maintain a so-called EEG account to process the EEG support system. Previously, differences between expenses and income were financed by electricity customers via the EEG levy. However, the EEG levy was abolished and the funds come from the federal budget. If the price of electricity on the electricity exchange is low, the EEG financing costs are higher.
Kruse believes that a further fall in electricity prices is highly likely. This would lead to additional financing requirements. Instead of the 10.6 billion euros previously estimated in the budget, the costs for the EEG account could rise to around 27.5 billion euros in 2024. That means a hole in the climate and transformation fund – a special federal fund – of around 17 billion euros.
If Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) does not take countermeasures with his policy now, the compensation payments for the EEG would eat up the climate and transformation fund, said Kruse. The costs for expanding renewables urgently need to be reduced. There is no scope for new spending requests such as additional surcharges for certain solar and wind systems or new highly subsidized power plant parks. The coalition agreement includes an exit from permanent subsidies for renewable energies.
Source: Stern
