The German government agreed to limit the expansion of onshore wind power to 2.8 GW in capacity per year. In addition, capacity in northern Germany will be strictly limited to avoid overburdening the electricity grid.
“We have come a long way.” Merkel said after the meeting.
Germany’s policy of offering generous subsidies has led to a period of rapid growth in renewable energy, but such rapid expansion has pushed up energy prices.
State approval is critical in allowing the new reforms to come into effect, and the draft law is due to come into force at the start of 2017.