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Germany renewable reforms, curtailment rise

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-29 16:45 UTC → 2026-07-29 18:51 UTC · added removed

The German cabinet has confirmed that is poised to pass the upcoming next revision of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) together with a grid‑connection package, with a parliamentary debate slated for autumn and the law to take effect on 1 January 2027. The reform will remove end the fixed feed‑in tariff for new photovoltaic installations as of 1 January 2027, systems, meaning new solar owners will sell electricity at market prices, while a separate measure will lower cut the tariff for new fresh PV installations by 1 % on 1 August 2026. Existing plants retain keep their contractually guaranteed rates for the remainder balance of their contracts. An Energy Institute analysis shows 20‑year terms. The legislation also adjusts compensation for large renewable plants and authorises additional gas‑fired capacity to underpin supply, prompting industry warnings that the changes could temper the pace of solar deployment. In 2025 wind and solar together supplied 44 % of Germany’s electricity in 2025, electricity, overtaking fossil‑fuel generation (coal at 21 %). Since the 2000 EEG, renewable generation has risen fossil fuels by about 42 percentage points, bolstering expectations of a coal phase‑out before 2038. Commercial curtailment of solar narrow margin and wind continued its upward trend, rising mirroring a wider EU shift where renewables now exceed fossil generation. However, commercial curtailment rose 20 % in the first half of 2026 to 1,463 GWh, while GWh and negative‑price hours of negative wholesale prices fell to 299. The Solar Peak Act, which withdraws subsidy top‑ups when prices turn negative, is cited as a key driver of these curtailments. 299, highlighting over‑generation and lingering grid‑and‑storage constraints. Offshore wind development investment remains strong, robust, with 2.6 GW of investment decisions finalised secured and approvals pursued sought for up to 17.5 GW of additional further projects, keeping the path toward target of a 30‑GW fleet by 2032 on track. Analysts anticipate that the combined effect of softened solar policy, expanding offshore wind and continued storage investment will further accelerate Germany’s clean‑energy transition while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-29 18:51 UTC Germany renewable reforms, curtailment rise
  2. 2026-07-29 16:45 UTC Germany renewable reforms, curtailment rise
  3. 2026-07-29 06:16 UTC Germany renewable reforms, curtailment rise
  4. 2026-07-27 07:37 UTC Germany renewable reforms boost solar, wind, battery growth

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