Germany’s leading bioenergy associations have published a detailed set of proposals for reforming the country’s Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), urging policymakers to take swift action to secure the future of bioenergy in the power and heat sectors.
The Hauptstadtbüro Bioenergie (HBB), which represents a broad coalition of bioenergy stakeholders, released a comprehensive policy paper outlining both short-term adjustments and a long-term vision for a more flexible, efficient bioenergy market.
At the centre of the proposals is a new electricity quota model designed to replace rigid remuneration structures and encourage greater system flexibility for biogas and biomethane plants.
Sandra Rostek, Head of HBB, highlighted the untapped potential of bioenergy, particularly biogas and wood, in strengthening Germany’s energy infrastructure.
“Even without using more biomass, consistent flexibilisation could unlock up to 24 GW of secure, dispatchable capacity in the medium term,” she said. “The biomass package has rightly recognised the role of biogas in providing flexibility to the grid – but it only covers parts of the existing fleet. We need broader solutions that fully leverage the economic and environmental potential of these plants.”
One of the centrepieces of the associations’ recommendations is the introduction of a “Strommengenmodell” – an electricity quota model.
Unlike the current system that offers fixed payments based on operating hours, the new approach would allow plant operators to generate and feed in a defined volume of electricity over a largely self-determined timeframe.
This would give operators more freedom to optimise market participation, while maintaining minimum flexibility standards and incentivising overcapacity investments.
“With this model, we aim to ensure biogas plants can adapt to market signals and avoid feeding into the grid during periods of high wind and solar generation,” explained Rostek.
In addition to the quota model, the bioenergy associations are calling for wider reforms to the EEG framework, particularly in the area of biomass tenders. Key recommendations include removal of the maize cap to encourage feedstock diversity, improved support for small-scale plants, and increased tender volumes, especially from 2027 onwards.
The paper underscores the importance of securing existing plants, stimulating new investments in flexible bioenergy infrastructure, and maximising the contribution of all bioenergy carriers to a resilient and secure energy system.
Rostek also raised concerns about delays in the ratification of the German government’s biomass package at the EU level.
“The delay is causing growing uncertainty in the sector. If the next tender round in October still runs under outdated 2023 EEG rules, it would seriously undermine confidence among plant operators and the bipartisan agreement that was hard-won at the end of the last legislative period.”
The associations are urging the federal government to prioritise the implementation of these reforms to ensure the long-term viability of bioenergy in Germany’s renewable transition.
German bioenergy associations propose EEG reform with electricity quota model
