Energy transition in danger? Schwesig warns of delays in the network expansion!

Energy transition in danger? Schwesig warns of delays in the network expansion!

Schwerin, Deutschland - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) emphasized in a current appeal that more clarity about electricity needs in Germany is necessary. In order to counter delays in the ongoing network expansion projects, the prime minister conference decided to draw up a comprehensive energy plan. The goal: the determination of the required amounts of electricity and their availability in the coming years. This step is crucial to promote the energy transition in Germany and to control the expansion of renewable energies, as [bundeswirtschaftsministium.de] (https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/redaktion/de/dossier/netze-und- undetzenausbau.html).

Schwesig emphasized the importance that the Federal Government's inventory should not lead to a delay on current planning procedures. In particular, she emphasized how important it was to use energy on site at discounted conditions. The discussion about dismantling on overhead lines during the construction of large transmission networks is also on the agenda. Schwesig said critically about the delays in the network expansion, which were particularly caused by the southern German countries. In order to address these problems, the Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche (CDU) is planning a monitoring for the energy transition by the end of August, which should provide valuable information about the current electricity requirements and the state of the network expansion, so Oldenburgernachrichten.de.

The role of renewable energies

The energy transition in Germany not only requires stable network operation, but also a rapid expansion of power nets and renewable energies. The market participants and network operators have new requirements to ensure security of supply. The bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de emphasizes that system services that have previously been provided by conventional power plants must now also be provided by renewable generation, storage and consumption systems. This increases the need for adaptation, especially with regard to the desired coal phase-out until 2030 and the accelerated expansion of wind and photovoltaic systems.

A safe and robust operation of the power grids with 100% renewable energies is the main goal of the "Roadmap System Stability", which was decided by the Federal Government on December 6, 2023. The process for creating this roadmap began in October 2022 and involved numerous actors, including network operators, manufacturers and scientists. The challenges are diverse: the increasing number of connected systems and the necessary digitization bring both complexity and risks, as the view of the multitude of new requirements shows.

together strong for the future

A more effective cooperation between the different network operators is essential to meet future requirements. Among other things, the Federal Ministry of Economics has launched the SDL future project in order to analyze future needs and the procurement of system services. The aim is to create a functioning market for system services, whereby regulations on market -based procurement are already in force. There are exceptions here if this is economically inefficient, but the Federal Network Agency will continue to work to determine the necessary systems.

In this exciting time in which the network expansion and the energy transition have to go hand in hand, the clear instructions for politics play a key role. Schwesig makes it clear that nothing can fall by the wayside and that it is important to make decisions that lead us to a future -proof energy supply. It remains to be seen which measures are concrete and how we can all contribute together to achieve these ambitious goals.