German Bundestag Discusses Amendments to Energy Industry Law
Berlin, January 15, 2025 – The German Bundestag is set to debate a draft law that proposes significant changes to the country’s energy industry. The draft law, titled “20/14517,” seeks to amend the Energiewirtschaftsgesetz (EnWG), the primary legal framework governing the energy sector in Germany.
The proposed amendments aim to address several key issues in the energy industry, including:
- End customer markets: The draft law introduces measures to enhance competition and consumer protection in the retail energy market. This includes provisions to improve transparency in pricing and billing practices and to strengthen the rights of energy consumers.
- Grid expansion: The amendments aim to streamline and accelerate grid expansion projects, which are crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the German power system. The draft law includes provisions to simplify permitting procedures and to provide incentives for grid operators to invest in new infrastructure.
- Grid regulation: The proposed amendments also introduce changes to the regulatory framework for grid operators. The aim is to improve efficiency and to ensure that grid operators operate in a fair and competitive manner.
The draft law has been met with mixed reactions from stakeholders in the energy industry. While consumer groups and renewable energy advocates have welcomed the proposed changes, some energy suppliers have expressed concerns about the potential impact on their businesses.
The Bundesrat, the upper house of the German Parliament, has issued an opinion on the draft law (20/14199), expressing support for some of the proposed amendments but also raising concerns about others. The Bundesregierung, the German government, has submitted a counter-statement (Gegenäußerung) to the Bundesrat, addressing the concerns raised in its opinion.
The Bundestag is expected to initiate deliberations on the draft law in the coming weeks. The final form of the amended EnWG will depend on the outcome of the parliamentary debates and negotiations between the various political parties.
20/14517: Unterrichtung Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Änderung des Energiewirtschaftsrechts im Bereich der Endkundenmärkte, des Netzausbaus und der Netzregulierung – 20/14199 – Stellungnahme des Bundesrates und Gegenäußerung der Bundesregierung (PDF)
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