Energy industry calls on next German govt to increase 2030 renewables share to 70%
Clean Energy Wire
Germany’s energy industry association BDEW has called on the next German government to introduce much more ambitious energy and climate policy. Ahead of Germany‘s September federal election, the BDEW wants the government to increase the share of renewables in the power mix to 70 percent by 2030 (current target: 65%), abandon the renewables levy by 2026 at the latest and instead finance expansion through CO2 price revenues and the federal budget. It also calls on the government to set the right framework for renewables development by speeding up permit procedures, facilitating the replacement of old wind turbines with new, larger ones (“repowering”) and securing sufficient land. A recent ruling by the constitutional court and new European climate targets mean “a turning point in energy and climate policy” and a new government after the election “must engage the turbo,” said BDEW head Kerstin Andreae. “The pace of restructuring the energy and heat supply, the transport sector and industry must be drastically increased.”
Germany will head to the ballots to elect a new federal parliament in autumn. Since the previous election in 2017, climate and energy have consistently moved up among voter priorities and most parties are presenting more ambitious policies. The current government coalition proposed to increase Germany’s 2030 climate target to 65 percent emissions reduction (over 1990 levels) and pull forward the climate neutrality goal to 2045 – changes that have yet to be decided by parliament.
