The coalition factions in the Bundestag have agreed on a massive expansion of green energies. Various laws are intended to create the basis for a long-term, climate-neutral power supply.
The German Press Agency learned that the last differences in the so-called Easter package from Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) were cleared up in the parliamentary process. The package had previously been passed in the cabinet and discussed in the Bundestag, but the FDP had called for a number of changes.
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The agreement will now ensure that the EEG green electricity levy, which was reduced to zero on July 1, will be permanently abolished, said FDP parliamentary group Vice President Lukas Köhler. “The financing of renewables via the electricity bill is finally history.”
According to dpa information, the goal of achieving a climate-neutral electricity system by 2035 has also disappeared from the drafts. The FDP had demanded that this be deleted.
SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch said: “Finally we’re not just talking about goals, we’re also making sure that we achieve them.” It was anchored that every federal state had to make around two percent of its land available for wind power. “This is a clear signal that the expansion of renewables now has top priority.”
Köhler emphasized that each state can decide for itself how to achieve the area target, so minimum distances to residential buildings are still possible. The target area of ​​two percent designated area for wind turbines on land has not yet been achieved by the vast majority of countries.
The Green Group Vice Julia Verlinden explained: “We are unleashing solar energy and providing enough space for more wind turbines.” By 2030, the proportion of green electricity will be increased to 80 percent.
“After years of being blocked by the Union, we are now paving the way for renewable energies.” The expansion of onshore wind power has stalled in recent years. From the point of view of the industry, the reasons are too few designated areas and long planning and approval processes.
Meanwhile, the share of renewable energies in the first half of the year has risen to 49 percent of electricity consumption, according to preliminary calculations by the industry association BDEW and the Stuttgart research institute ZSW. That is 6 percentage points more than in the same period of the previous year. By far the most important source of green electricity are wind turbines on land, their share increasing from 17 to 21 percent. Solar systems increased from 10 to 12 percent, according to figures released on Tuesday.
Total electricity consumption in Germany fell within a year by 2 billion kilowatt hours to an estimated 281 billion. Sun, wind and other renewable sources generated 139 billion kilowatt hours, while conventional energy sources accounted for 159 billion kilowatt hours.
Figures on the exact shares of coal, gas and nuclear power are not yet available. The difference between the total of 298 billion generated and the consumed 281 billion kilowatt hours was exported.
