Germany’s climate minister has told visitors at WindEnergy Hamburg that the government is “doing everything it can” to clear obstacles to renewables investment to boost energy security.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck told the audience that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had “a disastrous effect” on energy security in Germany and that “massive investment” in renewable energy is the only way to make the country independent of fossil fuels.
Habeck was speaking at the Opening Political Summit of WindEnergy Hamburg, where over 30,000 visitors from around the world are expected over the next four days.
“Now is not the time to do business as usual, but to act decisively,” Habeck said. “Renewables are the cheapest source of electricity and we need to move forward with investment.
“Renewables are not the problem, they are the answer.”
Germany’s goal is to have 115GW of onshore wind capacity in place by 2030 – twice as much as today, while in offshore wind it is targeting 30GW online by 2030 and 70GW by 2040.
“These are really incredible numbers. We really have to work hard and are making good progress,” Habeck noted.
However, “massive challenges” to meeting targets still remain, including permitting delays and a reluctance in some states to back renewables expansion, he said.
“I cannot understand why some of the Bundesland still have laws in place prohibiting wind energy,” Habeck said, citing the 10H distance regulations in Bavaria as an example of how renewables investment is being held back.
“We must bring renewable energy investment forward across all the [states] … we cannot accept any more delays and we need the Bundeslande to do their job.”
Other challenges to renewables expansion include “complex” nature protection rules and conflicts with other sectors such as aviation.
“We are doing everything we can to clear obstacles, including streamlining permitting and improving the policy environment” Habeck said.
“The need to ramp up investment to build a more resilient and sustainable energy system has never been greater.”