Bavaria prioritizes industry for electricity supply connections
Bavaria Accelerates Network Expansion: Söder Proposes Shift to Overhead Power Lines and Prioritization for Key Industries
In a bid to expedite network expansion and address economic complaints that have been mounting for years, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder has proposed a series of initiatives and proposals. The Association of Bavarian Business (vbw) and grid operators have welcomed these moves.
Söder's proposals include a shift towards overhead power lines for new projects, breaking with a long-standing CSU position that favoured underground lines. This change is aimed at reducing costs and speeding up the construction process, as building underground cables is much more expensive and time-consuming.
The vbw, an organisation representing Bavarian businesses, has expressed its support for these proposals. Bertram Brossardt, the managing director of vbw, highlighted the importance of prioritizing industry and data centers in new power grid connections. Söder and Bavarian Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger have emphasised the demand for new gas power plants as well, crucial for the heart of digitalization.
In addition, the Bavarian state government has established a "fast lane" for large projects, aiming to ensure that companies do not have to wait for years to receive power grid connections. The approval period for network expansion projects should not exceed two years.
The vbw is in agreement with the grid operators regarding the need for accelerated procedures. They believe that these measures will help to address the current "first come, first served" principle that blocks grid capacity and could lead to legislative adjustments for batteries and industrial user prioritization in new grid connections.
On a national level, the German federal government is currently examining measures to accelerate electricity grid connections. This includes simplifying and speeding up procedures, increasing transparency for renewable project developers, and enhancing planning security through closer coordination with the Federal Network Agency. A different "priority list" is needed at the national level, as connections are currently made on a first-come-first-served basis.
Horst Seehofer, Söder's predecessor, insisted that large power lines be laid underground to minimize resistance from the population. However, Söder's initiatives aim to address the need for further acceleration of network expansion, recognising the importance of digitalization and the role that reliable power grid connections play in supporting key industries and data centers.
