Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia's CDU, Hendrik Wüst, isn't shying away from vocalizing his concerns. He's urging the federal government to expedite their strategy for gas-fired power plants, fearing that the sluggish pace might jeopardize NRW's goal of phasing out coal by 2030. Six gas-fired power plants are on the radar for NRW, with construction taking roughly five to six years from approval. If the strategy isn't in place and tenders aren't held, the construction can't commence. Without timely hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants, the old ones might persist, complicating the phase-out.
NRW has been patiently waiting for the federal government to make headway on its urgent grid development plan. New gas-fired power plants necessitate reliable gas and later hydrogen supply. Wüst mentions that neighboring countries share this desire for clarity and swiftness, hinting at potential international cooperation.
RWE, a renowned energy company, is also advocating for speedy changes. They're pushing for a prompt regulatory framework to encourage 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, paving the way for the phase-out of lignite mining eight years earlier than planned by 2030.
Now, let's explore potential solutions. The federal government could expedite licensing processes, amplify public-private partnerships, boost funding for renewable energy alternatives, champion geothermal energy, tackle technical and geological risks, and bolster public awareness. By implementing these strategies, the federal government can accelerate its gas-fired power plant strategy, aligning with Wüst's early coal phase-out objectives.
To delve further, look at renewable energy initiatives, such as geothermal energy and wind power, currently underway in Germany. These efforts signal the federal government's primary focus on transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable energy sources, although specific actions related to gas-fired power plants with hydrogen capabilities aren't detailed in the provided sources.
[1] "Fraunhofer-Institut für Energiewissenschaft und Geothermie", [Online]. Available at: (Accessed: 1st April, 2023).
[3] "Germany Sets Sights on Renewable Energy Future", [Online]. Available at: (Accessed: 1st April, 2023).
