Hendrik Wüst, the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia's CDU, isn't afraid to voice his concerns. He's urging the federal government to speed up their new gas-fired power plant strategy. The reason? He's worried that the current pace might jeopardize NRW's ambitious plan to phase out coal by 2030.
"We need clarity by next year at the latest," Wüst stated. Six gas-fired power plants are on the cards for NRW, with construction taking around five to six years from approval. If the power plant strategy isn't in place, and tenders aren't held, the construction can't proceed. Without new hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants in time, the old ones won't be retired, potentially leading to a problematic phase-out.
NRW's been waiting for months for the government to move on its urgently needed grid development plan. New gas-fired power plants must be reliably supplied, first with gas and then with hydrogen. Wüst mentions that neighboring countries are also eager for clarity and speed, hinting at potential international cooperation.
RWE, a prominent energy company, is also advocating for swift changes. They're pushing for a rapid regulatory framework to enable investment in hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants. Last year, an agreement was reached between North Rhine-Westphalia, the federal and state economic ministries, and RWE, resulting in the phase-out of lignite mining eight years earlier than planned by 20230.
Now, let's delve a bit deeper into potential solutions. The federal government could streamline licensing procedures, enhance public-private partnerships, increase funding for renewable energy alternatives, promote geothermal energy, address technical and geological risks, and raise public awareness. By implementing these steps, the federal government can ensure a swift and successful gas-fired power plant strategy, aligning with Wüst's early coal phase-out goals.
