New Gas Power Plants: Energy Giants 'Ready to Go' - Germany’s 12-GW flexible power plants to bridge renewable energy gaps by 2031
The German government has unveiled plans to build flexible power plants with a total capacity of 12 gigawatts. These plants, primarily gas-fired, will fill gaps when wind and solar power are insufficient. The energy sector has welcomed this decision, with several companies already planning new news plants.
Eon, Germany's largest distribution grid operator, has praised the coalition's decision to include flexibility solutions in upcoming tenders. However, it emphasises that battery storage systems must operate in a grid-supportive manner. The federal government plans to tender 10 gigawatts of capacity by 2026, with plants operational by 2031, and an additional 2 gigawatts by 2026/27 using hydrogen.
Steag Iqony Group is ready to build a near-one-gigawatt gas plant, with the project already advanced. Uniper, an energy giant, has projects at two sites in advanced planning stages, with more locations under review. It has pledged to contribute around two gigawatts of highly efficient, hydrogen-ready capacity. RWE aims to bring the first new gas plants online by 2030, with three sites identified for quick construction.
These new gas plants are crucial for Germany's transition to a climate-neutral future. They are designed to be hydrogen-ready and capable of running on hydrogen by 2026. The energy sector's swift implementation of these plans will help bridge the gap between renewable energy sources and the country's power needs.
