Renewable energy subsidies in Germany are significantly lower for new installations

A study by enervis energy advisors for the North Rhine-Westphalia Renewable Energy Association (LEE NRW) indicates that the costs for new renewable energy expansion are significantly lower than historical figures suggest. The report finds that new wind and solar installations require approximately 89 percent less subsidy than the existing EEG portfolio.

Specifically, the study calculates EEG payments for new wind power plants at just 0.72 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to 6.58 cents for comparable older installations. For new wind power plants commissioned since the beginning of 2025, with a total capacity of 37.8 gigawatts, annual EEG payments are estimated at approximately 400 million euros. LEE NRW Managing Director Christian Vossler stated that using historical multi-billion euro figures to describe current expansion costs is misleading, as modern expansion operates in a much lower cost environment.