Germans face steep rise in green energy surcharge

Electricity users in Germany will face a 70% increase in 2011 in the eco-surcharge they pay for the extra costs of renewable energy, according to the country’s leading power generators in October 2010.

The sharp rise in the charge that is levied on all consumers, including businesses, is largely a result of the very rapid growth in power generation from renewable sources, especially from photovoltaic energy. In the first eight months of 2010 alone, output of solar power from photovoltaic cells is estimated to have increased by 50%.

ESO: Background information: Germany to wean itself off fossil fuels http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-to-wean-itself-off-fossil-fuels/

Wikipedia: Renewable energy in Germany http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_in_Germany

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