Secure power supply - NRW minister criticizes Habeck's power plant strategy
North Rhine-Westphalia's Economic Minister Mona Neubaur criticizes Robert Habeck's (both Greens) new power plant strategy as insufficient. "It's a step in the right direction that an additional tender segment of two gigawatts for the conversion of existing power plants to a hydrogen operation is now planned," Neubaur told the "Rheinische Post." The expanded scope of a total of 12.5 gigawatts of hydrogen-powered power plant capacity still does not suffice, "to completely close the future power supply gap in the German power system," she added.
The Minister in the black-green state government in North Rhine-Westphalia also criticized that so far only the key points of the planned mechanisms of the new strategy have been available. The Federal Ministry of Economics must present concrete regulatory proposals promptly. "The time for the implementation of a powerful power plant strategy is pressing – all the more so in view of the planned coal phase-out," the politician told the "Rheinische Post."
The Federal Government, as part of the growth package anchored in the budget for 2025, has also paved the way for a strategy for building new gas power plants. Accordingly, a total of 12.5 gigawatts of power plant capacity and 500 megawatts of long-term storage capacity are to be tendered. In February, during the presentation of key points, there was still talk of 10 gigawatts of power plant capacity.
New gas power plants, which can be operated with hydrogen in the future, will serve as backup for power generation from renewable energies from wind and solar – in times of "dark fleets," when there is no wind and no sun.
- Mona Neubaur, the Economic Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, expressed her concerns about Robert Habeck's (both from the Greens) power plant strategy, considering it insufficient for securing the future power supply.
- Neubaur praised the planned tender segment of 2 gigawatts for hydrogen conversion of existing power plants, but pointed out that it falls short of fully addressing the power supply gap in the German power system.
- In an interview with the "Rheinische Post," Neubaur urged the Federal Ministry of Economics to promptly provide concrete regulatory proposals for the new strategy.
- The expansion of hydrogen-powered power plant capacity to 12.5 gigawatts, as part of Habeck's strategy, is expected to be supported by the Federal Government's growth package in 2025.
- Mona Neubaur also highlighted the need for new gas power plants, capable of operating with hydrogen, as a reserve for power generation from renewable energy sources during periods of low wind and solar energy production.
- The criticism of Neubaur's fellow Green party member, Habeck, has added a new dimension to the ongoing discussions about the future power plant strategy in Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia.
