Source: Energy & Management Powernews, July 28, 2022
The state Ministry of Economics hopes to remove obstacles to the energy transition with a memorandum of understanding between grid operators, municipalities and leading associations.
A broad alliance of companies, associations and the public sector has agreed in a joint declaration of intent to "significantly simplify and thus significantly accelerate" the approval and processing processes for the energy turnaround in Bavaria.
A total of 15 representatives of grid operators, associations and state organizations set a new goal on 25. July in the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs in Munich their signatures under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to "accelerate the grid integration of renewable generation plants".
In addition to the Free State, five distribution network operators are also involved, furthermore the Bavarian leading associations of cities, municipalities and counties, the Farmers' Association, the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU), the Association of the Bavarian Energy and Water Industry (VBEW), as well as the respective wind and PV association.
The MOU was initiated by the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters). The Bavarian government wants to lead by example. It also agreed on July 25 to a rapid increase in the number of employees responsible for electricity power construction in the approval authorities from 13 to 50.
Stakeholders give top priority to grid expansion
In the MOU, the stakeholders pledge to treat grid expansion as a priority - this applies to the project developers just as much as to the approval authorities, which must ensure that sufficient specialist personnel are available. "The Ministry of Economics is committed to ensuring sufficient personnel capacities at district offices, nature conservation authorities, etc.," it continues.
Another important point is that double registrations of plants with different grid operators are to be avoided in the future. Also, the project developers should develop approaches to solving problems with owners, managers, municipalities and associations can be eliminated before the approval process.
The ministry has already developed some measures in advance in the sense of the MOU. Thus there is now a regular exchange of experience between the network operators and the planning authorities of the seven Bavarian administrative districts, which did not exist before, was heard in Munich. The aim is to standardize, streamline and accelerate the approval procedures at the various Bavarian government levels.
Monitoring for future projects set up
In addition, monitoring of future tasks for the planning authorities has been set up. Often it is not clear to the individual authority on the spot, which approval procedures in the matter of energy transition in the near future in their area would come up, it was further said. Here the authorities are to be informed comprehensively and transparently.
Egon Westphal, CEO of Bayernwerk AG, spoke on behalf of the participating distribution system operators with the signing of the joint declaration of intent of an "important milestone and a Bavarian milestone". Because: "Throughout Bavaria, around 700,000 PV systems with a capacity of 16,000 MW are connected to the power grid. By 2030, the installed PV capacity is expected to triple." That, he said, shows the challenge ahead for all players.
Three or four years ago, Bayernwerk was receiving about 1,000 inquiries per month for new PV installations, Westphal said. Last year, the number rose to 3,000, and currently it stands at more than 6,000 PV systems, he said. "And everyone who contacts us thinks they'll be on the grid and feeding into the grid tomorrow." People's expectations about climate protection and renewable energy have steadily increased in recent years, he said. The Ukraine war has further accelerated the importance of domestic energy sources,
Max Gotz, spokesman for the three leading municipal associations and also mayor of the city of Erding, warned against rushing into action, however. "Thoroughness must take precedence over speed, despite all the emergencies." Nevertheless, he said, there were sufficient opportunities to move forward more quickly. Above all, the complex participation procedures for new and expansion projects in the energy sector could be streamlined here or accelerated with short deadlines.
Author: Stefan Sagmeister
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