“Yes to changes for combined heat and power electricity production”

The German parliament (Bundestag) has voted for a government bill to change regulations for combined heat and power (CHP) electricity production, including amendments by the economy ministry (BMWi), the Bundestag writes in a press release. It stipulates that new and modernised CHP plants with a capacity from 1 to 50 megawatt will have to successfully participate in a bidding process before they are eligible for support. The subsidy amount will be determined by the bids, ensuring that “the most economic projects” receive support, the Bundestag writes. Bidding processes will “to a limited extent” be opened for projects in neighbouring countries in order to foster regional cooperation. The parliament also approved exemptions from the renewables surcharge for power produced by industrial firms for self-consumption with existing plants, unless these are modernised “substantially”.

Read the press release in German here.

For background read the CLEW article Agreement with EU Commission clears way for German power market reform as well as the CLEW factsheet Combined heat and power - an Energiewende cornerstone?.