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Germany: EEG amendment passed

The German Upper House of Parliament has passed its Renewable Energy Act [EEG] amendment.

Germany's EEG amendment has been passed. Image: Bundesrat.

On Friday, representatives from the individual federal states approved the energy law, which was decided on by the German federal government over a week ago.

The Upper House of Parliament chose not to consult the mediation committee, in order to achieve possible subsequent changes for subsidizing renewable energies.

Prior to the amendment being passed, several SPD minister-presidents, including Kurt Beck of Rhineland-Palatinate, campaigned to bring about improvements for solar subsidies and building rehabilitation.

However, it was already clear in advance that there would most likely not be a majority for going to the mediation committee.

Approval by the Upper House of Parliament is not required for most of the laws on energy. Therefore, it can only resort to the mediation committee in order to advocate its own interests.

Nevertheless, the result of any compromise can then be outvoted again by a majority in the Lower House of Parliament.