SPD proposes end of renewables surcharge and mandatory solar power in energy policy reform

Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) have tabled a proposal for a comprehensive reform of the country's energy policy that is meant to accelerate the transformation to renewables, news agency dpa reports in an article carried by Börse Online. The draft by the government coalition party's parliamentary faction says the renewables surcharge that customers pay with their power bill should be abolished entirely. Instead, the expansion of wind, solar and other renewable power installations should be financed through a higher electricity tax, the reduction of climate-damaging subsidies and proceeds from the new carbon price in transport and heating taking effect in 2021. Moreover, SPD parliamentary group deputy leader Matthias Miersch called for a "consistent and compulsory" use of available rooftop spaces for the installation of solar power panels, at least for public buildings and newly constructed ones. At the same time, financial participation in the construction and operation of renewable power installations, either through municipal models or through green power loans, should be facilitated.

The SPD's proposal comes ahead of a first parliamentary debate on Friday on the reform proposal for Germany's Renewable Energy Act (EEG) presented by economy minister Peter Altmaier of the conservative CDU, which has already been adopted by the government cabinet and must now be adopted by parliament. However, the SPD and its environment minister Svenja Schulze have already signalled that they see the need to further amend the EEG reform.