Wind industry welcomes energy policy decisions

28.03.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The Federal Network Agency today completed the eighth of nine planning approval procedures for the Südostlink. The A1 section runs between Wolmirstedt and Könnern in Saxony-Anhalt.

The results of the working group on energy and climate for the coalition agreement are available. The German Wind Energy Association, Agora and Deneff see positive impetus, but still raise concerns.

The energy policy results of the coalition negotiations are taking shape. The Energy and Climate Working Group has presented its paper, which is now being discussed in the party committees. The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) sees the result as fundamentally positive. "The explicit commitment to the expansion of renewable energies creates a solid basis for the coming years," said BWE Managing Director Wolfram Axthelm at the policy briefing on March 28.

The rapid implementation of the EU directives RED III and NIS 2 is also key. "The coexistence of two approval regimes and open questions regarding cyber security cannot be delayed," he emphasized. With regard to grid expansion, the BWE sees progress. Measures for the superstructure of grid connection points and facilitations for energy storage are positive signals. The acceleration of heavy transport, which is important for the expansion of wind power, is also a step in the right direction.

Eliminate ambiguities quickly

From the BWE's perspective, it remains unclear what the "system-friendly" approach for the expansion of renewables, grids and storage should look like in concrete terms. "The grid infrastructure must be better utilized and new construction accelerated," demanded Axthelm. The association is also critical of the undecided debate on the two percent area target for wind energy. It is incomprehensible that this is once again being called into question while the state and regional planning authorities are already working on its implementation.

Other measures from the coalition negotiations concern industry, infrastructure and the building sector. For example, the decarbonization of the economy is to be supported by climate protection agreements and funding programmes. Monitoring is to provide information on electricity demand, security of supply and the expansion of renewables by 2025. There are also plans to reform the right to sue associations and accelerate approvals for infrastructure projects.

Efficiency association Deneff fears economic slump

Criticism has come from the German Business Initiative for Energy Efficiency (Deneff). The proposal by the working group on construction and housing to focus less on energy savings in building renovations would jeopardize hundreds of thousands of jobs and Germany's technological lead. "We need an amendment to the Building Energy Act with planning certainty instead of regressing behind existing requirements," warned Deneff board member Carsten Müller.

Agora Energiewende emphasizes that the planned 20,000 MW of new gas-fired power plants without a clear hydrogen perspective are risky. In addition, the planned electricity price regulation could distort market signals and inhibit investments in storage technologies.

BWE wants to get involved with a study

"We will commission a monitoring study to examine the expected electricity demand and the status of supply security, grid expansion, the expansion of renewable energy, digitalization and the hydrogen ramp-up as a basis for further work by the 2025 summer break," announced Axthelm.

The expansion of the electricity distribution grids is of central importance for the decarbonization of the economy and as a lever for more growth. In most cases, replacing the old line with a new distribution grid line in the existing route would be sufficient. According to proposals from the energy company EWE and the municipal association VKU, this would allow for more speed in the expansion by means of simple change notifications instead of approval procedures that take years. "This works for our European neighbors," said Axthelm.

Author: Susanne Harmsen