Government Ties Easter Package for Renewable Energies

The federal cabinet has approved the so-called Easter Package at the proposal of Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck (Greens). According to the ministry, this is the largest energy policy amendment in decades. The Easter Package aims to comprehensively amend various energy laws in order to accelerate and consistently advance the expansion of renewable energies.

"The Easter Package is the accelerator for the expansion of renewable energies. We will almost double the share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption within less than a decade. We are tripling the speed of renewable expansion - on water, on land, and on rooftops. Renewable energies will henceforth be in the public interest and serve public security. This is crucial to increase the pace. Overall, with the Easter Package, we are creating the conditions for Germany's energy security and energy sovereignty. At the same time, it lays the foundations for Germany to become climate neutral," Habeck explained.

Habeck sees the package as part of the agenda and it has been worked on under high pressure in recent months. The measures are now taking on a "double urgency" in light of Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

"On the one hand, the climate crisis is intensifying. On the other hand, Russia's invasion shows how important it is to phase out fossil fuels and consistently advance the expansion of renewables. We are doing this boldly and decisively," Habeck advocated for the package.

The package of measures is now being submitted to the German Bundestag and will go through the parliamentary legislative process in the next step. It is an article law encompassing over 500 pages and includes the following individual laws:

• The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG),
• The Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG),
• The Energy Industry Act (EnWG),
• The Federal Requirement Plan Act (BBPlG),
• The Grid Expansion Acceleration Act Transmission Grid (NABEG),
• Other laws and regulations in energy law.

What measures does the Easter Package specifically include?

• The core of the package enshrines the principle that the use of renewable energies is of paramount public interest and serves public security. The expansion of renewable energies on land and at sea is raised to an entirely new level. By 2030, at least 80 percent of Germany's gross electricity consumption is to come from renewables.
• Extensive measures are being taken to advance the expansion of renewables. New areas are being made available for photovoltaic expansion, municipal participation in onshore wind and photovoltaics is being expanded, low-wind sites are being increasingly developed, and the framework conditions for the expansion of photovoltaic roof systems are being improved.
• The expansion of offshore wind energy will in the future be based on two equal pillars. In addition to the tendering of pre-examined areas, previously unexamined areas will also be put out to tender.
• The expansion of renewable energies and grids will be accelerated by removing obstacles and streamlining planning and approval procedures.
• The federal requirement plan for the expansion of transmission grids will be updated and new projects will be included to ensure that the grids can keep pace with the expansion of renewable energies.
• With the abolition of the EEG surcharge, the rules for self-consumption and the privileging of industry will be greatly simplified, making a significant contribution to the deregulation of energy law.
• The rights of end consumers and the supervisory powers of the Federal Network Agency over energy suppliers will be strengthened to better protect electricity and gas consumers in the future.