A comprehensive system of feed-in tariffs (FITs) has helped pushing its share of green power to close to a quarter of its electricity output.

That aid is financed via the so-called renewables surcharge that is slapped on consumers’ electricity bills. Politicians from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition, which is standing for re-election in September, have been attacking the surcharge and demanding a thorough reform of the country’s renewable-energy legislation after the polls.

Subsidised