EEG-Novelle: Die big five für bessere Netze – so sinken die Systemkosten wirklich – Bundesverband Neue

While the German government has publicly committed to lowering system costs to ensure industrial competitiveness, the Association of the New Energy Economy (Bundesverband Neue Energiewirtschaft – bne) has issued a stark warning. The association argues that the current trajectory of the EEG amendment risks achieving the exact opposite of its intent: driving up costs through over-regulation and missed opportunities for flexibility.

The Electrification Mandate: Berlin’s 2026 Energy Crossroads

The year 2026 marks a symbolic milestone for the Energiewende. Low electricity prices have become the undisputed "oxygen" for economic growth and industrial survival in a global market increasingly dominated by green technology. However, the bne asserts that the federal government’s proposed measures are currently mired in bureaucratic inertia.

"Low electricity prices are the key to growth and competitiveness," stated Robert Busch, Managing Director of the bne. "The federal government is right to want to lower system costs. But many measures in the EEG amendment threaten to increase them further."

To counter this, the bne has presented a comprehensive five-point plan aimed at dismantling existing hurdles for renewables and energy storage. The core of their argument is simple: the most effective way to lower costs is not through more subsidies, but through the smarter use of existing infrastructure and the removal of regulatory barriers that prevent market-driven flexibility.

The Five Pillars of Efficiency: A Roadmap to Lower System Costs

The bne’s proposal focuses on five concrete measures that require zero additional taxpayer funding. These measures are designed to reduce "redispatch" (the costly process of adjusting power plant output to avoid grid congestion), minimize the curtailment of renewable energy, and dampen price peaks.

1. Freedom Behind the Grid Connection Point

Under current regulations, adding a battery storage unit or expanding a solar array often triggers a lengthy and redundant grid connection audit, even if the maximum feed-in capacity at the connection point remains unchanged. The bne is calling for "freedom behind the connection point."

If an operator ensures that the agreed-upon peak load injected into the grid does not increase, they should be allowed to optimize their internal system—adding panels or storage—without a new permit process. This would drastically accelerate investment and maximize the utility of existing grid infrastructure.

2. "Use Instead of Curtail": Ending the Waste of Energy

One of the most glaring inefficiencies in the current system is the practice of "curtailing" wind and solar farms when the grid is congested. Operators are paid to stop producing, while the potential energy is simply wasted.

The bne demands that storing electricity behind the grid connection point must become the default standard, especially during redispatch events. Furthermore, storage systems at solar parks should be permitted to absorb excess electricity from the grid—such as surplus wind power from a neighboring farm. The association points to the recently passed MiSpeL (Mixed-Power Storage Rules) as a step in the right direction but emphasizes that practical implementation remains too complex.

3. Shared Grid Usage

In many parts of rural Germany, multiple energy projects sit side-by-side, each with its own expensive connection cable. The bne proposes a legal right to shared use of existing connection lines. If a cable has the technical capacity to carry more load, new projects should be allowed to "piggyback" on it, avoiding the environmental and financial costs of digging new trenches and laying redundant cables.

4. Empowering the Prosumer

The current regulatory framework imposes a rigid 50 percent limit on the flexibility of rooftop solar systems. This "blanket cap" prevents prosumers (consumers who also produce energy) from feeding electricity into the grid even when there is ample capacity.

"The systems should be integrated into direct marketing," Busch argues. "You cannot demand market integration and then, in the same breath, prevent it with undifferentiated flat-rate restrictions." By using modern "control boxes," grid operators can intervene specifically during bottlenecks rather than imposing permanent caps. This would allow home batteries to charge when prices are low and discharge when the grid is stressed, lowering prices for everyone.

5. Securing SME Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

Germany’s Mittelstand (small and medium-sized enterprises) is under immense pressure. Unlike large corporations, these companies often lack the credit ratings to secure long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for green energy without backstops.

The bne argues that the ability to switch back into the EEG subsidy scheme at a freely chosen time must remain an option. This "fallback" serves as a de-risking mechanism for banks financing these projects. Without it, the market for SME-focused PPAs could collapse, forcing companies to rely on volatile spot market prices or move production abroad.

Chronology: From Subsidy Dependence to Market Integration (2021–2026)

The journey to the 2026 EEG amendment has been fraught with challenges. Following the energy crisis of 2022-2023, Germany accelerated its renewable build-out at an unprecedented pace.

• 2023-2024: Solar installations hit record highs, but the grid struggled to keep up. Negative electricity prices—where producers must pay to dump power—became a frequent occurrence during sunny weekends.
• 2025: The government realized that "dumb" expansion was leading to soaring "system costs," primarily driven by redispatch payments which reached billions of euros annually.
• Early 2026: The first draft of the new EEG was released, focusing on forcing renewables into the market. However, critics argued it relied too heavily on "punishing" producers for surplus energy rather than "incentivizing" storage and flexibility.
• October 2026: The bne’s intervention comes as the Bundestag prepares for the final readings of the bill. The debate has shifted from "how many wind turbines do we need" to "how do we manage the electrons we already have."

Supporting Data: The Power of 40 Gigawatt-Hours

To underscore the importance of these reforms, the bne cited a recent simulation conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute. The study modeled the impact of adding 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery storage capacity to the German grid—a goal that the bne says is achievable if the proposed regulatory hurdles are removed.

The results of the Fraunhofer simulation are staggering:

• 88% Reduction in High-Price Hours: By shifting energy from midday peaks to evening demand, storage can almost entirely eliminate the hours where electricity is most expensive.
• 35% Increase in Solar Market Value: Currently, solar power suffers from a "cannibalization effect" (too much supply at once lowers its value). Storage allows solar energy to be sold when it is actually needed, significantly increasing its market worth.
• €1.2 Billion Savings in EEG Funding: By increasing the market value of solar and wind, the "market premium" (the subsidy paid by the state to bridge the gap between market price and the guaranteed price) shrinks. This would save the federal budget over a billion euros annually.

Official Responses and Political Stakes

The bne’s proposals have sent ripples through the political landscape in Berlin. While the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) has acknowledged the need for flexibility, they remain cautious about "grid stability."

A spokesperson for the Ministry stated, "We are evaluating all proposals that can lower costs for the consumer. However, any change to grid connection rules must ensure that the safety and reliability of the German power grid—the most stable in Europe—is not compromised."

On the other side of the aisle, industrial associations have largely backed the bne. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) noted that for the Mittelstand, the "PPA fallback" is a survival issue. Without the ability to secure long-term, fixed-price green energy, German manufacturing faces an existential threat from regions with lower energy costs.

Robert Busch remains adamant: "These are not minor technical tweaks for specialists. These are the major levers for efficient grids and lower system costs."

Implications: The Future of the "German Engine"

The outcome of the EEG debate will dictate the economic health of Germany for the next decade. If the bne’s proposals are ignored, the "system costs"—the hidden fees on every kilowatt-hour—could continue to rise, even as the cost of generating wind and solar power falls.

For Industry: The success of SME PPAs will determine whether Germany remains a manufacturing hub. If the "Mittelstand" can access cheap, local renewable energy through flexible contracts, the "Made in Germany" brand can pivot to "Green Made in Germany."

For Consumers: The "Prosumer" measures represent a democratization of the energy transition. Allowing households to profit from their flexibility doesn’t just lower their individual bills; it lowers the price for the entire neighborhood by reducing the need for expensive grid expansions.

For the Climate: Every kilowatt-hour curtailed is a failure of the transition. The "Use Instead of Curtail" policy is essential for reaching Germany’s goal of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

As the Bundestag moves toward a vote, the message from the bne is clear: the technology to create a low-cost, 100% renewable grid already exists. What is missing is the legislative courage to get out of the way.

"The federal government must live up to its own claims and reduce the costs of the future electricity system," concluded Busch. "The biggest lever for this is to enable flexibility. This helps the grids become more efficient and allows the economy to grow again."