The presented study ought to analyze the intended and unintended effects of the instruments of the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz law between 2011 and 2017 in the scope of a sustainable energy transition (RQ). In order to do so, the theoretical approaches regarding transition, policy instruments, and policy theory, as well as mechanisms, were applied to the circumstances of the EEG law. This section answers the above outlined research question
and discusses the conclusions drawn within the analysis. Additionally, the limitations of this study as well as recommendations regarding further research and implications for policy makers will be provided.
With regard to the intended and unintended effects of the EEG law between 2011 and 2017, it can be stated that the feed-in tariffs were highly responsible for the launch of the energy transition. Feed-in tariffs were implemented in order to develop a secure market for renewable energy technologies and the analysis of the transition process has shown that the necessary technological niche was found in consequence. However, referring to the replacement of feed- in tariffs through tenders, the intention was followed to introduce competition and an open market to alternative technologies. The probably unintended outcome was that small companies and initiatives of citizens were excluded from the market as it became highly unpredictable and the big companies were given an advantage. Additionally, the settled build-up goals will probably not be reached and the transition process is not as fast as it should and could be.
Even though it probably was an unintended effect, the EEG law contributed to the social awareness regarding the necessity of energy transition and helped to demonstrate the capabilities of the alternative technologies. Through the given circumstances which additionally increased the awareness of the population concerning energy transition, the reputation of renewable energy technologies as the future technologies was strengthened. Considering the policy theory underlying the amendments of the EEG law, it can be stated that those do not completely fit the objectives communicated by the federal government to execute the energy transition as fast and cost-efficient as possible. Furthermore, though the amendments and the political actions are constantly justified by the objective to decrease the costs and increase efficiency, they often slow down the transition process. The common opinion within the interviews was that the guidelines and objectives of the political actors must be formulated more clearly and the design of the transition process has to be more precise. Additionally, the EEG law lacks regarding detecting instruments. Moreover, the efficiency of the EEG law could be increased, and it could be designed closer to reality if there would be a higher level of exchange and communication between the political and practical actors.
Finally, it can be stated that, when evaluating the success of the EEG law, it needs to be distinguished between the EEG law with feed-in tariffs and the EEG law with tenders as the primary instrument. With regard to the first one, it can be stressed that it was highly responsible
for the launch of the energy transition and, further, a rethinking within the society that builds the basis of the sustainability of the transition process. The EEG law with tenders as the instrument needs to be questioned. Even though it cannot sufficiently conclude whether it lowers the costs of the transition, it has shown that it decreased the number of participants taking part in the transition process and slowed it down. With the idea in mind that the energy transition can only be sustainable if a rethinking of the whole society is given, a decreasing number of participants within the process is insufficient.
However, the most valuable achievement of the EEG law was probably the unintended one, it increased the awareness of the society regarding the necessity of a transition process and, therefore, created a sound foundation for a sustainable energy transition.
6.1 Limitations of the Study and Future Research
Due to the fact that the study of this thesis is based on a limited number of expert interviews, its internal validity can be stressed. Implying a higher number of expert interviews and multiple representatives of the developed interview groups could alter the outcome of the analysis. However, the outcome of this study can still be seen as an indicator and sufficiently matches its objective to provide a first evaluation of the instruments of the EEG law and their impact on the German energy transition. Future research could use the findings of this study as a first indicator and extend the examination by more accurately analyzing the impact of the change of instruments on different actors of the energy market.
Additionally, this study estimates the cost efficiency of the EEG law mainly based on the market development and the cost trend of companies while the development of the costs for the end-consumer is rarely mentioned. In terms of future research, the cost development for private end-consumers could provide interesting insights into the repercussions of the law since its implementation. Furthermore, the exclusion of big companies from the EEG levy should be taken into account when rating the cost efficiency of the EEG law and should be part of future research.
The final results of this thesis show that the regional circumstances highly impacted the development of the energy transition and, hence, the impact of the EEG law. Therefore, it can be stated that the comparison with policies in other countries is only meaningful if all
circumstances are clearly observed and the underlying mechanisms are revealed what should be considered by future researchers.
Lastly, it can be stressed that further variables could have impacted the energy transition in Germany. With regard to the conducted interviews and the analysis of this study, it can be presumed that the EEG law had the primary impact on the energy transition within the analyzed timeframe. Furthermore, the focus on the EEG law and its instruments enabled this study to go more into depth regarding the impact of the instruments and supported the revealing of the underlying mechanisms. However, within future research, the impact of the political circumstances of the German Bundesländer as well as political pressure through global actors like the European Union could be examined extensively.
To sum up it can be stated that even though there are limitations to this study, its validity is given as it can be expected to contribute to the research on energy transition policies and the development of a global solution in order to encounter climate change.
6.2 Implications for Policy Makers
This study has shown that global and regional circumstances highly affect the German energy transition process. Furthermore, the replacement of feed-in tariffs through tenders slowed down the build-up process of renewable energy technologies as it reduced predictability and stability. Hence, the German policymakers are asked to adjust the EEG law and provide compensation in order to continue the transition process as fast and efficient as possible. The argument that the introduction of market-based tenders would lead to lower costs and increase the efficiency cannot be verified based on what was expressed within the conducted expert interviews. Additionally, the change of the instruments mainly benefits the big companies while small companies are no longer able to compete on the market. Even though this could lead to lower costs, the diffusion of technologies, as well as the velocity of the build-up, is decelerated. Consequently, policymakers are asked to develop a solution that supports small companies and citizens’ initiatives. One possible solution could be to differentiate between those groups and implement a feed-in tariff-based system for small companies and civil organizations in order to support them while big companies are asked to compete on the market.
In addition, policymakers should use the current awareness of the society regarding climate change to present a solution for the grid expansion and the development of storage
facilities. The common cognizance that a transition is necessary to tackle climate change could help to gather support among the citizens for the expensive development and building process. In order to do so, policymakers should imply regional actors as well as professionals into their design process to guarantee the sufficiency of their planning. This could decrease further resistance among the citizens and help to speed up the transition process.