wiredinUSA July 2020

Peter Altmaier heads the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Germany ups renewables target

The German government has set new expansion targets of 20GW capacity by 2030, and 40GW by 2040. Economy minister Peter Altmaier said the revision sets a new “milestone for offshore wind energy”. “For the first timewe’ve also set a target for 2040, which provides all involvedactors with long- termplanning security,” theminister added. The offshore wind power law is expected to enable a swift implementation of licensed offshore wind projects, and also sets the legal basis for green hydrogen production at sea. The municipal utility association VKU, welcomed the amendment in principle, but criticized it for failing to prevent “speculative bidding” in project tenders. Head of VKU Ingbert Liebing argued that only large companies will be able to submit zero-support bids without putting

their financial survival at stake. “This would further reduce the number of actors in the offshore wind sector,” Liebing said, adding that, rather than making offshore wind projects more accessible, the amendment would a prove a hurdle to municipal utilities seeking to engage in the sector. Environmental organization NABU criticized the “hasty decision” to raise the expansion target, saying it ignored the need to reconcile renewable power production with animal protection. According to NABU, completing the 40GW target will mean that 6,300km 2 , 22% of Germany’s exclusive economic zone in the North Sea, is occupied by wind farms. This could have severe implications for local bird populations that avoid wind turbines and, thus, stand to lose half of their German North Sea habitat.

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wiredInUSA - July 2020