The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, certain amendments to the German scheme to support the production of electricity from renewable energy sources that the Commission approved in April 2021. The scheme is part of the German Renewable Energy Act (“Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz” – “EEG 2021”). The amendments will, among other things, contribute to the expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) and onshore wind energy, by increasing the volumes tendered, and, hence, the support for these technologies. At the same time, the Commission approved State aid to small manure installations, as provided in the EEG 2021 and related legislation. The eligible installations are biomass installations using agricultural manure for the production of electricity with an installed capacity not exceeding 150 kW. Both the amendments to the original scheme and the support to small manure installations aim at further helping Germany reach its ambitious renewable energy targets. The Commission assessed the amendments and the support to small manure installations under EU State aid rules, in particular the 2014 Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy (“EEAG”). The Commission found that, with respect to all the notified measures, the aid is proportionate and limited to the minimum necessary. The Commission concluded that the measures will support projects promoting the use of renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in particular related to solar PV, onshore wind, biogas, biomass and biomethane, in line with the European Green Deal, without unduly distorting competition. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case numbers SA.64376 and SA.63414 once confidentiality issues have been resolved. Details Publication date9 December 2021AuthorDirectorate-General for EnergyLocationBrussels
