The German parliament has amended the country’s renewable energy law to extend deadlines by six months for completing subsidised projects to help ensure the success of the energy transition during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A six-month extension has also been granted for projects to comply with technical regulations for power generation plants that would otherwise have to go into operation by 30 June.
The German government said the changes create legal certainty for developers having difficulties due to restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Changes have also been made to the planning law to allow special decision-making procedures to ensure public participation can continue to be carried out properly.
Digital alternatives will now be allowed in official procedures that previously required the physical presence of those involved.
Appointments, negotiations or application conferences can now be carried out online or by means of telephone or video conferences.
Federal economics minister Peter Altmaier (pictured) said: “With the amendments to the law, we are ensuring that the corona pandemic does not lead to delays in the energy transition.
“With the Planning Assurance Act, we ensure that important planning and approval procedures, such as in the expansion of the power grid, can be carried out quickly even during the corona pandemic.
“With the legal changes in the field of renewable energies, we also ensure that the current restrictions and delays do not have a negative impact on market participants.”