Stakeholders Call for Stronger Government Commitment to a Decentralized Energy Transition

Energy and environmental groups are urging policymakers to strengthen the decentralized energy transition by improving smart meter rollout, enhancing energy-sharing rules, and supporting small-scale energy storage as part of a modern renewable energy policy framework.

Demand for Clear Support of Decentralized Energy Solutions

Several organizations focused on renewable energy and citizen participation are calling for the federal government to commit more decisively to a decentralized energy transition. Their primary concerns include the slow smart meter rollout, unclear regulatory structures for energy sharing, and insufficient support for small-scale energy storage systems.

Smart Meter Rollout Lagging Behind

Representatives from environmental initiatives emphasize that smart meter deployment is still far from nationwide coverage. With installation rates at very low levels, near-universal adoption may not occur until after 2040 without intervention. Contributing factors include lengthy device certification processes, divergent procedures across hundreds of distribution network operators, and high installation costs.

Energy Sharing Faces Digitalization Barriers

Energy-sharing advocates argue that the current regulatory framework lacks sufficient financial incentives and suffers from poor digital integration. Inconsistent data formats between grid operators, producers, and consumers make implementation more difficult, slowing progress toward broader citizen participation in distributed renewable energy systems.

Strengthening the Role of Small-Scale Storage

Stakeholders in the small-scale storage sector note that simplified registration procedures and variable network charges were not included in the latest revision of energy legislation. They stress that such measures would enable millions of households to contribute more actively to the decentralized energy transition while helping stabilize the grid.

Unlocking System Flexibility

Experts emphasize that a fully renewable energy system depends on effectively leveraging all available flexibility. Strengthening the regulatory position of small-scale energy storage is seen as essential to achieving this goal. Simplifying citizen-oriented energy solutions is a key step toward ensuring that decentralized renewable energy systems continue to grow rather than stagnate.