Bavaria aims to double renewable power share by 2030

Southern German state Bavaria aims to double power production from renewable sources to reach a share of 80 percent by 2030 as part of its government’s new energy strategy. “The main drivers will be photovoltaics and wind power,” said the government in a press release. As a result of Russia's attack on Ukraine, a “completely new situation” has arisen with regard to security of supply in Bavaria, said the economy minister of Germany’s largest federal state, Hubert Aiwanger. “On the way to a climate-neutral Bavaria by 2040, it is important to generate as much electricity as possible here and thus maintain greater independence from energy imports,” he said.

While already boasting one of the largest solar and hydro power capacities of all of Germany's 16 states, Bavaria has been criticised for its restrictive wind power expansion policy, symbolised by the introduction of the so-called 10H rule that stipulates a minimum distance of ten times a turbine’s height to the next settlement. Bavaria aims to loosen this rule following criticism by industry associations warning that the economic powerhouse state could lose competitiveness if it fails to fully embrace clean power production. The regional arm of wind industry association BWE criticised the strategy, saying more clarity was needed on the policy proposals. “With the 10H distance regulation still in force and the exceptions now provided for, neither the required 2-percent area quota nor planning security and expansion dynamics can be achieved,” BWE Bavaria head Bernd Wust said.