EEG Account: Positive Balance Increases – But High EEG-related Payments Due to High Solar Input

According to the latest information by the four German transmission system operators (TSOs), the positive balance on the EEG account increased in March 2014, yet EEG transfer payments were much higher in March 2014 than in the same month last year due in particular to high solar input.

Due to a surplus of EUR 372,113,642.57 in March the positive balance increased from EUR 1,177,817,579.93 to EUR 1,549,931,222.50. Despite a (comparatively small) negative carry-over of EUR -225,324,417.42 from 2013, the account has so far been positive in 2014 (in 2013, 2012 and 2010 the account showed negative balances that were particularly high in 2012 and 2010).

Yet the monthly surplus for March 2014 of EUR 372,113,642.57 was much smaller than in the same period last year when it amounted to EUR 974,671,383.82. This was due to particularly high solar input of 3,060 GWh (2013: 2,069 GWh), while input from other renewable energy sources more or less remained on the level of the previous months.

The high solar input also contributed to the lower average price obtained at the power exchange of EUR 27.07 per MWh. In January and February renewable power still sold for EUR 38.20 respectively EUR 35.64 per MWh. In 2013 the average price only dipped below the EUR 30.00/MWh mark once in June, when renewable energy sold for EUR 27.63 per MWh. The average monthly prices ranged from EUR 27.63/MWh in June 2013 to EUR 43.94/MWh in February 2013 (for more information, please see here).

In March, the EEG account recorded sales revenues of EUR 146,432,099.80 for 5,409 GWh, with system expenses of EUR 1,775,416,936.47 in the same period.

Under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) renewable power input into the German grids is supported by transfer payments such as feed-in tariffs or direct marketing premiums paid in addition to the revenue obtained by the sale of renewable energy that is effected by renewable power plant operator themselves. The so-called EEG account balances the expenses for renewable transfer payments to renewable power plant operators against the revenue obtained from the sale of the renewable energy at the EPEX Spot power exchange by the TSOs and the so-called EEG surcharge, which electricity consumers have to pay in support of the EEG transfer payments.

Source: netztransparenz.de

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