Compensation to operators of coal and lignite-fired power plants that will be phased out in Germany would be better invested in new clean power projects, according to the country’s renewable energy association (BEE).
BEE said the coal and lignite exit plan, agreed last week, is “expensive” and the money should be invested in renewables, power-to-gas and other new green energy technologies.
The association also said that the timetable for the coal phase out is too slow.
BEE president Simone Peter said: “We now need investments in low-cost renewable energies and reliable expansion paths for the Federal government’s goal of 65% renewable energies in the electricity sector by 2030 as well as the short-term removal of the covers for photovoltaics, offshore wind and flexible biomass.
“New hurdles, such as flat-rate regulations for wind power, must also be avoided, otherwise there is a risk of a green electricity gap in the power supply.”
The plan aims to phase out coal-fired generation in Germany by 2038 and includes compensation measures for regions and operators impacted totalling €40bn.