Source: Energy & Management Powernews, September 23, 2022
On September 22, the Bundestag dealt with the sharper rise in energy prices as a result of the Russian war and the social cushioning for the population.
In a special hour requested by the coalition factions SPD, Greens and FDP, the parliamentarians debated the "guarantee of energy supply". The third amendment to the Energy Security Act (EnSiG 3.0) is also on the agenda for first reading.
In order to ensure the security of energy supply in Germany, further measures are required "which will lead to a further reduction in gas consumption in the winter of 2022/2023 and in the winter of 2023/2024 and at the same time ensure that the power supply remains secure," according to the explanatory memorandum to the EnSiG draft. The aim is also to accelerate the expansion of the power grid and to upgrade the existing power grid.
According to the bill, the EnSiG is to be supplemented with clarifying provisions. Furthermore, the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG 2021), the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), the Transmission Grid Expansion Acceleration Act (NABEG) and the LNG Acceleration Act will be supplemented with regulations that are intended to improve the framework for the use of biogas and photovoltaics as well as liquefied natural gas plants in particular.
Union wants longer runtime for nuclear power plants
The CDU/CSU is demanding in its own bill that the runtimes of the three German nuclear power plants still on the grid be extended until the end of 2024. The Left Party is calling in a motion for electricity and gas blackouts by energy suppliers to be banned. On the morning of September 23, there will be an expert hearing on the amendment in the Energy Committee.
During the debate in the Bundestag, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) promised far-reaching aid because of the high energy prices. In the future, they should not only go to companies that are in international trade, but also to companies that are making losses. This would apply to industry and also to small and medium-sized businesses. Habeck also promised that advance payments should be made quickly. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) had cautioned, with reference to a survey of industrial SMEs (see separate message), the extremely increased energy prices put the industry before fundamental problems.
Adjustments in the EnWG provided
From the point of view of the coalition factions, above all the adjustments in the EnWG are necessary in order to already better utilize the offshore connection lines in the short and medium term. This would be mandatory for the security of supply in the coming winters and also necessary beyond that for the utilization. In addition, the requirements would have to be fixed and the pipelines completed in time. "Only in this way can the offshore expansion goals of the Wind Energy at Sea Act be achieved," the draft states.
In addition, regulations would be made in the EnWG for compensation in the event of storage shutdowns. Parliamentary circles had previously pointed out that with a view to any financial hardships from a storage shutdown not approved, a hardship compensation provision is necessary. Likewise, a notification is to be introduced for the conversion from L-gas to H-gas.
Facilitation for the expansion of wind power and LNG terminals
The bill also aims to amend the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG). An addition to the special provision for wind turbines is planned, it says. Temporary regulations would be introduced until March on deviations from specifications on nighttime noise levels and the avoidance of shadow flicker for wind turbines.
Through amendments to the LNG Acceleration Act, the procedures for floating LNG terminals are to be facilitated and accelerated. An early start of construction is to be made possible even if planning documents are incomplete. In addition, the possibility is to be created to approve a further terminal in Lubmin (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania).
Lift biogas cap
By corrections in the EEG 2021, a special regulation for the promotion of biogas plants is to be created for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. This creates a temporary incentive in the crisis, "that the power generation from biogas is increased and thus to this extent the conversion of natural gas can be dispensed with," write the traffic light factions.
Finally, the Combined Heat and Power Act (KWKG) is also to be amended. The aim is to facilitate the commissioning of innovative CHP projects during the year.
Third relief package for citizens
In the first reading, the third relief package is on the agenda, with which the coalition wants to alleviate the burdens of inflation. Thus, the basic tax allowance, the child allowance and the child benefit are to be increased. Changes to the income tax rate are intended to compensate for the so-called cold progression. This is intended to prevent purchasing power from falling despite salary increases.
Author: Susanne Harmsen
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