Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into support for energy-intensive companies benefitting from a reduced renewables surcharge

On 18 December 2013 the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether the reduction granted to energy-intensive companies on a surcharge for the financing of renewable energy sources in Germany (EEG-surcharge) is compatible with EU state aid rules. Under the Renewable Energy Law as amended in 2012, energy intensive industries are granted reductions on the EEG-surcharge. The Commission will also investigate the reduction on the EEG-surcharge granted when a supplier sources 50% of his electricity portfolio from domestic renewable electricity.