The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK; today BMWE) plans amendments to the EEG 2023 to make biogas plants more flexible and to prefer existing plants with heat utilisation. The DIHK sees biogas plants as having a central role in weather-independent power supply and supply security. However, there are concerns that the new requirements are both technically demanding and economically burdensome. Companies need to carefully plan investments, subsidies, and operating rules to ensure profitability.
Key Points Summarized
- Biogas plants ensure flexible and weather-independent power supply.
- Tender volumes are increased, but flexibility incentives are seen as too demanding.
- EEG funding should phase out in the medium term; new plants' funding is limited.
- Reduction in the proportion of maize and the elimination of funding at marginally positive prices are critical.
- The heat utilisation from existing plants should be integrated into municipal concepts.
Background
Biogas plants provide climate-neutral electricity and heat and can compensate for fluctuations in power supply. The BMWE proposes increasing auction volumes, introducing flexibilisation incentives, prioritising existing plants with heat utilisation, reducing the maize quota, and removing subsidies at weakly positive prices. The aim is to enhance the system's efficiency. Companies face adjustments in planning, investment, and operations concerning storage, fermentation and gas storage, and heat networks.
What Companies Should Know
- Flexibility requirements are technically demanding; short-term adjustments are hardly feasible.
- Investments in storage, fermentation and gas storage, as well as heat networks, are costly and require longer planning periods.
- Auction volumes and flexibility premiums must be sufficient to ensure economic operation.
- The transition to new subsidy logic (operating or full-load hours) affects operational planning.
- The use of alternative substrates requires clear approvals and adjusted remuneration systems.
DIHK Demands
- Increase the flexibility premium, oriented towards new peak-load power plants.
- Align auction volumes with electricity amounts (MWh) instead of installed capacity (MW).
- Phase out funding for new plants only gradually; make transition periods realistic.
- Reduce bureaucratic hurdles for the use of waste and residual materials.
- Legally clarify definitions of heat networks and their integration into communal heat planning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are biogas plants relevant for companies?
They flexibly deliver power and heat, ensure supply stability, and complement volatile renewable energies.
Which changes particularly affect existing plants?
Existing plants must meet new flexibility requirements and shorter transition periods, necessitating investments and technical adjustments.
What does the reduction in maize proportion mean?
The aim is to promote sustainable substrates; simultaneously, it results in higher costs and approval efforts.
How does the EEG funding impact profitability?
Guaranteed funding can displace other revenue opportunities; gradual phase-out ensures profitability protection.
How can companies increase the flexibility of their plants?
Investments in storage, fermentation and gas tanks, heat networks as well as direct funding and technical adjustments facilitate implementation.
Download
DIHK Statement on the planned auction conditions for biogas plants (PDF, 172 KB)(only available in German)
- Relevant in topic:
- Energie
- Key areas:
-
- Klima
- Umwelt
Released 16.01.2025
Modified 17.02.2026
Contact
Dr. Ulrike Beland
Director Economic Aspects of Climate and Energy policy