Regulatory reform needed to reach 2030 renewables expansion goal – Renewable Energy Federation
Clean Energy Wire
Germany can reach the government’s goal to expand renewables to cover 65 percent of electricity consumption by 2030, but must quickly implement the necessary regulatory reforms, according to scenario calculations by the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE). Under the current framework, the share can only reach 44 percent, taking into account that the country will have additional power needs to electrify large parts of the transport and heating sectors, and these will overcompensate efficiency gains, said BEE in a press release. “The switch must be flipped immediately and the expansion of renewables accelerated again,” said BEE president Simone Peter. The expansion paths for renewable energies would have to be significantly increased, the necessary land and permits provided, and existing expansion limits removed, she said.
Angela Merkel’s government decided in the 2018 coalition agreement to raise Germany’s renewables target to 65 percent of power consumption by 2030 – provided that the grid’s carrying capacity is sufficient – in an effort to help reach greenhouse gas emissions goals. In 2018, renewables covered about 38 percent. Expansion has slowed in recent years and the grand coalition has set up a parliamentary working group tasked with developing measures to ensure Germany can achieve the 2030 goal. The parliamentarians are especially concerned about securing acceptance from citizens for new renewables installations.
