Energy minister under pressure to present framework for future renewables growth

Travelling in the renewable-energy stronghold state of Lower Saxony, German energy minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) faced urgent calls to provide a secure framework for future wind power growth. Lower Saxony’s environment minister, Olaf Lies (SPD), said rules for additional tenders announced in the federal government’s coalition treaty must be put in place by autumn this year, and immediately followed up with a framework for the volume of new renewable energy capacity to be added to this system by 2030. “It’s clear we cannot repeat the wind power growth of the past year, but we want to make sure the industry has a future in Germany,” Altmaier said, referring to strong strong growth over recent years.

Wind-turbine manufacturer Enercon announced at the beginning of August that it would focus on its export business and therefore need fewer German suppliers, blaming deteriorating market conditions in Germany. This could put around 800 jobs in Lower Saxony at risk. Altmaier said he couldn’t make the decisions for the company but would try to provide planning security for the wind power sector.

For background see a CLEW factsheet on the government’s climate and energy targets here.