Energyforum

In a statement late Tuesday, the ministry said full auctioning of emission rights, as planned by the European Commission from 2013, would not lead to more profits for the utilities because they had "priced in" the cost already. Energy suppliers currently have to buy 10% of their rights and receive the remaining 90% for free from the state. "Nevertheless they have already alleged that they had to pay for all rights.

The 'virtual' cost for 100% of emission rights are therefore already included," the ministry said. "This means: electricity consumers already pay for them--which of course leads to significant profits on the generators' side. Those profits will from 2013 be skimmed off because from then on the suppliers have to buy all their rights.

There is no reason to use stricter emission trade as an explanation for possible rises of power prices from 2013," said the ministry. The financial means the state receives from auctioning of emission rights are used for the national initiative for climate protection. It finances for example the use of energy efficient and climate- friendly technologies in private households and businesses.