German federal and state govts to forge ‘pact’ to speed up infrastructure projects

Germany’s federal and state governments will meet on 2 June to forge a “pact to speed up planning, permitting and implementation” for infrastructure projects, many of which are central to the energy transition's progress, reports Steven Hanke in Tagesspiegel Background. A draft final statement for the meeting of chancellor Olaf Scholz and state premiers of Germany’s regions says the acceleration of planning and approval procedures as a nationwide effort is of decisive importance for the success of transformation processes, writes Tagesspiegel. This is especially true for transport infrastructure and the expansion of energy and communication networks, according to the document. The federal government and the states would commit to involving the public and those affected at an early stage, and to providing the authorities and courts with sufficient staff, as well as digitalising procedures.

The German government said it would introduce legislation to speed up projects that are crucial to the country’s move to climate neutrality by 2045. For example, the government has ramped up the 2030 target for the share of renewables in power consumption to 80 percent, but the approval of a new wind turbine often takes several years due to complex regulation regarding environmental protection, as well as local resistance.