Press Release: State aid: Commission approves German aid scheme for renewable energy (EEG 2012); orders partial recovery

Following an in-depth investigation the European Commission concluded on the 25 November 2014 that aid granted for the production of energy from renewable energy sources under the German Renewable Energy Act of 2012 (Erneuerbare - Energien-Gesetz – 'EEG') was in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission also approved the majority of reductions granted to energy-intensive companies on a surcharge to finance the support for renewables. This surcharge was imposed on electricity suppliers and passed on to end consumers (EEG-surcharge). However, a limited portion of the reductions exceeded what was permitted under EU state aid rules. The beneficiaries then had to pay this excess back to remedy the distortion of competition. The recovery only concerned 2013 and 2014.

ESO: Background information: State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into support for energy-intensive companies benefitting from a reduced renewables surcharge http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-commission-opens-in-depth-inquiry-into-support-for-energy-intensive-companies-benefitting-from-a-reduced-renewables-surcharge/

ESO: Background information: State aid: Commission approves German renewable energy law EEG 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-commission-approves-german-renewable-energy-law-eeg-2014/

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