The 2014 German Renewable Energy Sources Act revision - from feed-in tariffs to direct marketing to competitive bidding

摘要

German renewable energy developments are frequently quoted around the world. Often the same circumstances are used as either good or bad examples, depending on individual points of view. This article sheds some light on the latest 2014 revision of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), commonly referred to as EEG 2014. The EEG 2014 represents a major shift from support that was mainly granted in the form of fixed-feed tariffs to mandatory direct marketing that is promoted by market premiums. Furthermore, the EEG 2014 lays down the foundation for the next step of promoting renewables, in which financial support will be established through competitive bidding.