Table 1 Development of bioelectricity deployment support design (based on subsequent versions of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG))

EEG 2000–EEG 2009

Fixed feed-in tariffs (FIT) per kilowatt-hour; electricity marketed centrally by transmission system operators

EEG 2012

Introduction of sliding feed-in premium (FIP) in combination with direct marketing and flexibility premium for biogas plants on an optional basis

EEG 2014

- Direct marketing obligatory for new plants, in combination with administered FIP (from 2016, FIT only remains available for new plants ≤ 100 kW)

- Reduction of bioelectricity remuneration rates and introduction of 100 MW_el cap on the gross annual expansion of biomass capacities (if exceeded, remuneration rates undergo an accelerated decrease)

- Flexibility premium for biogas plants is continued

EEG 2017

- Introduction of tenders for wind, PV and biomass

- Bioenergy tenders: for all new plants > 150 kW_el (plants ≤ 150 kW_el receive the administered FIP; plants ≤ 100 kW_el the fixed FIT)

- Bids relate to the reference price for the sliding FIP

- Remuneration is awarded “pay as bid” (except for existing plants ≤ 150 kW_el, which can opt for participation and receive remuneration according to the highest successful bid)

- Bids are limited by a price cap (subject to annual degression): 14.88 ct/kWh for new plants and 16.9 ct/kWh for existing plants in 2017 (to compare—administered reference prices under the EEG 2014 were 13.66 ct/kWh for plants ≤ 150 kWel, less for larger plants, see § 44 EEG 2014)^{Footnote 2}

- Successful new plants receive the FIP for 20 years, existing plants (which can participate if 8 years or less of their EEG remuneration period remain) for 10 years

- Flexibility premium for biogas plants is continued