Commission approves reductions on offshore surcharge for electro-intensive and railway companies in Germany

Further information:

These reductions in offshore surcharges were notified to the Commission for review under State aid rules. The Commission assessed the measure under both its Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020 and its Guidelines on State aid for railways undertaking.

The Commission concluded that the German plans are in line with EU State aid rules, because they contribute to the competitiveness of these companies without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.

Background information:

Germany aims to increase the installed capacity of offshore wind installations to 6,500 megawatts by 2020 and 15,000 megawatts by 2030. To this end, the German Energy Act provides for the legal framework for the planning, building and operating of the power lines connecting offshore wind installations to the main grid.

The European Commission found German plans to grant reductions on an offshore surcharge to electro-intensive users and railways to be in line with EU State aid rules. The announcement was made on 27 March 2018.