Prospective promotional model sets out to combine investment incentivization with the introduction of a minimum remuneration for electricity fed into the grid from PV. The feed-in remuneration tariff as determined in the Energy Efficiency Act (EEG) expires by the end of 2022. The government of Liechtenstein proposes to introduce a minimum remuneration rate for electricity fed into the grid from PV as an investment incentive. The concrete amount of the minimum remuneration is still to be set. The intentions for the proposed amendment, however, are clear. A uniform minimum tariff is expected to create investment reliability, cover operating costs for existing plants, and reduce the complexity of the current subsidy model and the associated administrative cost for both applicants and authorities.
The amendment of the Energy Efficiency Act (EEG) is an opportunity to initiate necessary transformation processes to drive the energy transition in Liechtenstein. In order to guarantee an informed decision-making process for all members of the Liechtenstein Parliament, as well as to raise and insert important questions and suggestions not to be neglected at this critical crossroads, EnergieVision from integrity.earth compiled an email to all members of the Liechtenstein Parliament to chart the way forward.
A statement from integrity.earth on the first amendment reading on the Energy Efficiency Act (EEG) provides concrete proposals for each article. In addition, a table pointing to and summarizing the most important topics based on the 9 municipalities’ and 94 elected representatives’ statements on the consultation of the EEG sent to the government is provided. Reflecting Integrity.earth's mediating function, this compilation (Fig. 1) is intended to support parliament members in their decision-making process passing the law.
The climate crisis is advancing relentlessly, and with the appalling war in Europe, our great dependence on fossil fuels is becoming frighteningly clear to us all. For the first time in Liechtenstein's history, Liechtenstein has the opportunity to switch to locally produced renewable energy – now.
This, however, requires targeted and collective action from all parties involved. If we switch to renewable technologies now, especially photovoltaics, heat pumps, and electromobility, we can achieve and even exceed the country's climate and energy goals by 2030. To achieve these targets, the changes to the EEG as formulated by the government are welcomed, but must, in our eyes, go one step further.
These are our concerns regarding the amendment of the Energy Efficiency Act:
A comprehensive modification of the current grid tariff model to account for changing conditions due to an increase in decentralized electricity input must be examined and addressed now, not at a later date.
We do not propose a centime range, but specifically 10 centimes as a PV minimum tariff amount.
In order to encourage self-consumption associations (ZEV), extraction royalties of a maximum of 1.5 centimes should be waived.
The status quo of grid costs must change. Regarding tax payments; higher income equals higher tax deductions. This makes sense and is generally considered to be fair. When it comes to electricity costs, however, the situation is different. Those who use electricity sparingly and consume little pay proportionately more per kilowatt hour (kWh). If someone uses a lot of electricity, they benefit from a lower energy price and a lower grid usage price than so-called "small" electricity customers. A large consumer pays half the energy price and up to three times the smaller grid usage price per kilowatt hour. This is not in the spirit of non-discriminatory, solidarity-based grid usage.
We need a clear and transparent cost breakdown for the actual maintenance costs of our electricity grid across all 7 levels. Should a large consumer, who also mostly uses all 7 levels of the electricity grid, pay higher grid fees per kWh than small consumers? These questions are important because it directly relates to incentive creation for the implementation of self-consumption communities (ZEV).
In addition, the compensation price for PV should not be calculated via a reference plant, but transparently from the difference between the hourly minimum remuneration and the hourly market-oriented price, which is fed into the grid by this plant. The hourly market-oriented price should be communicated daily by the energy supplier on a portal, in a transparent manner in relation to the market price.
The current model is no longer up to date. We need new approaches. But only together can we achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.
Fig. 1: Overview of topics and relevance as indicated by the EnergyVision partner municipalities as well as the municipalities of Schaan and Mauren compiled for our members of parliament.
The opportunity offered by an amendment to the EEG was seized by integrity.earth to introduce further easily implementable proposals with great impact on the energy transition and CO2 savings. These include:
Further promotion to replace fossil heating with renewable heating in multi-family dwellings or "dense living".
Introduction of a consistent ban on fossil heating systems in new and replacement buildings effective immediately. Following the lead example of the Swiss cantons of Glarus, Zurich, and Basel.
Imagine the future of Liechtenstein, where the country is climate neutral and almost energy self-sufficient through renewable electricity production. Where citizens use self-produced electricity for heating, mobility, and work and provide surplus energy to their neighbors. Where it is not the exploitation of the environment, but living in harmony with nature that forms the basis for a prosperous society. EnergieVision and our 8 partner municipalities have set out to achieve these very goals, and this month, we reached a milestone in our efforts with our statement on the EEG amendment.
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