Within 13 years, Germany should largely obtain its electricity from renewable sources – at least if Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck has his way. On Wednesday, the federal cabinet decided on the Green politician’s so-called Easter package.
It includes a huge catalog of projects for the expansion of wind and solar energy and the corresponding infrastructure. However, the coalition partner FDP has already announced a need for improvement for the deliberations in the Bundestag.
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“The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine marks a turning point for the energy supply in Germany,” says the draft law. “Energy sovereignty has become a question of national and European security.” This ties in with the “Zeitenwende” speech by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), who announced a significant increase in arms spending at the end of February after the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Federal Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck said that renewable energies are becoming an increasingly important competitive factor. He referred to the decision by the Swedish company Northvolt to set up a battery cell production facility with around 3,000 jobs near Heide on the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein. The location decision was justified by the fact that the renewable electricity is there. The other countries would certainly have noticed this. “It was, so to speak, a wake-up call for many politicians to see how much renewable energies represent a competitive advantage, a locational advantage.”
ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLES
By 2030, 80 percent of the electricity should come from renewable sources, by 2035 it should be almost 100 percent. According to industry information, Germany is currently at 42 percent. The FDP expressed serious doubts that the target for 2035 could be achieved. Group leader Christian Dürr told the German Press Agency: “Here it would be much better to choose the goal more realistically and instead to set the framework conditions in such a way that the goal is actually achieved.” A power system by 2035 is desirable, but practically impossible to achieve in Germany.”
ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS
From July onwards, consumers and companies should no longer pay an EEG levy on their electricity bill. The surcharge for the promotion of green electricity is then paid from the federal budget. Electricity providers should be obliged to pass on the full relief to their customers. Here, too, the FDP is skeptical. Dürr said the plans include an option for a later reintroduction.
Energy suppliers who want to end their contracts with household customers should inform them and the Federal Network Agency at least three months in advance. The supervision of the Federal Network Agency should be strengthened and electricity prices should become more transparent.
More about the energy crisis on Tagesspiegel Plus:
WIND AT SEA
The expansion of offshore wind energy in Germany has been fairly stagnant in recent years. Not a single system was additionally connected to the grid in 2021. The traffic light coalition wants to massively expand offshore wind farms: Their capacity is to increase from 7.8 gigawatts (GW) to at least 30/40/70 GW in the years 2030/35/45. Planning and approval procedures are to be streamlined.
WIND AN LAND
The construction of wind turbines on land is also expected to move much faster, with up to 10 GW per year. The goal is a capacity of 115 GW with onshore wind in 2030. For comparison: at the end of 2021 it was 56.13 GW. Habeck wants to tackle the main obstacles, such as a lack of designated areas for wind farms, in the next major legislative package, the “summer package”. It is planned that two percent of the country’s area will be reserved for wind turbines.
SOLAR POWER
By 2030, the capacity of the installed solar systems is to increase to 215 GW, from 59 GW most recently. In addition, the annual expansion rate is to increase to 22 GW. Half of the building is to be built on roofs and half on open spaces. The remuneration for certain investments should become more attractive, which is already planned for the current year. For solar systems on the ground, the criteria should be changed so that more areas are eligible, for example on the edge of fields or in moors.
PRIORITY FOR RENEWABLES
The construction of wind turbines on land and at sea and solar systems should in future be considered “in the overriding public interest” – and thus be given special weight in the event of a conflict. The complete ban on the construction of wind turbines in protected areas is to be abolished. Instead, they should be checked individually.
PARTICIPATION ON SITE
The bureaucratic hurdles for local wind and solar projects are to be reduced. In addition, there should be more opportunities for municipalities to participate financially. Municipalities should be able to set nature conservation requirements for solar systems on the ground.
GRID EXPANSION
The network expansion is to be pushed forward, also with tighter planning and approval procedures.
Important lines for energy transport are missing in Germany. (dpa)
