IEA urges Germany to spread cost of energy shift fair

 

International Energy Agency IEA has said the German government must do more to protect consumers from paying too much of the transition costs to renewables. It urged the larger use of gas plants. 

The International Energy Agency IEA said Friday Germany had to be careful not to let consumers foot too much of the bill resulting from the country's ambitious switch from nuclear power and fossil fuels towards renewable energy.

Addressing Germany's energy transition in its latest regular review, the IEA called on the government in Berlin to take further steps to maintain a balance between sustainability, affordability and competitiveness.

The agency pointed to a political debate in the country about discounts given to parts of industry which had in no small way been financed by higher power bills for consumers and a tax surcharge.