Berlin has agreed to offer 4GW of new onshore wind and solar PV capacity over the next three years.
According to a draft agreement hammered out by ruling parties CDU and SPD, some 1000MW will be put to tender next year, followed by 1400MW in 2020 and 1600MW in 2021.
In addition, technology neutral tenders will be organised with a capacity of 250MW in 2019, followed by 400MW and 500MW in the following years.
These technologies will receive no compensation in times of negative spot prices, encouraging developers to offer Power-to-X solutions.
In addition, new onshore wind farms will need to feature radar-based lighting systems starting in 2020. This will lead to a higher acceptance of onshore wind, the parties believe.
Offshore wind, however, is not part of the agreement that is expected to be cleared by the federal government’s cabinet next week.
The parties further agreed to decide on an expansion path for renewables until 2030.
Wind energy trade group BWE welcomed the “end of the energy policy stalemate”, but asked the government to clarify the technical rules of technology neutral tenders.
Germany’s Offshore Wind Foundation criticised the lack of an offshore wind boost mentioned in an earlier coalition agreement.
“The government chucks away a chance for climate policy and for the energy industry,” foundation managing director Andreas Wagner said.