ENBW boss warns: new gas power plants endanger the energy transition!

ENBW boss warns: new gas power plants endanger the energy transition!

Berlin, Deutschland - EnBW boss Georg Stamatelopoulos has had sharp criticism of the plans of the federal government to build new gas power plants. Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche plans to build around 40 new gas power plants by 2030 to secure the power supply during the current energy transition. This measure encounters skepticism in Stamatelopoulos.

In an interview, the EnBW boss emphasizes that the construction of such gas power plants may create more problems than solutions. He refers to a current study by Aurora Energy Research , which was carried out on behalf of EnBW. This study shows that the expansion of the energy infrastructure could be cheaper by up to 700 million euros than estimated by the Federal Network Agency. The reason for the lower costs is in a reduced electricity consumption and more moderate development of the power grid.

criticism of overcapacity

Stamatelopoulos warns against creating an infrastructure through the construction of new gas power plants that is not fully used. This could not only have economic, but also ecological disadvantages. The Federal Government faces the challenge of fulfilling the requirements of the climate goals that are defined by the EU Green Deal. Germany plans to achieve climate neutrality in 2045, which requires the need for faster and efficient investments in sustainable energy sources.

At the upcoming BDEW Congress on June 5 and 6 in Berlin, Stamatelopoulos will again meet with Minister Reiche and other representatives of the industry to discuss the current situation. The debate will also address the savings that are possible through the focused expansion of the energy infrastructure.

personnel developments at EnBW

In the context of corporate development, there is also news about personnel conversion at EnBW. Stamatelopoulos stated that the company hired 3,000 new employees last year. Around 1,500 other positions are to be created in the coming years to replace excreting employees.

The need to advance the energy transition, combined with the challenge of the high costs, requires a holistic concept. PwC has shown in recent calculations that several trillion euros in investments will be required for Germany to reach the climate goals. The strategic planning and implementation of these goals is crucial to optimize the transition phase into a sustainable energy future.