HAMBURG/KIEL/SCHWERIN (dpa-AFX) - The plan by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs to expand power grids and renewable energies puts tens of thousands of jobs in the wind sector, as well as many positions in energy-intensive industries, at risk, according to DGB Nord. "This draft from the Ministry of Economic Affairs under Katherina Reiche is the opposite of planning and investment security," said DGB Nord Chairwoman Laura Pooth.
"In this logic, the slowest horse always wins"
Due to this renewed uncertainty, a vicious cycle threatens: not only will the expansion of renewables be slowed, but it will also become more expensive. Grid operators would reduce their grid expansion plans, which would further block the construction of new wind turbines or solar plants. "In this logic, the slowest horse always wins. Ms. Reiche, as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs: that cannot be your goal, that cannot be our standard," said Pooth.
The union leader recalled the approach of then Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier (CDU), which cost tens of thousands of jobs in the solar and wind sectors just over ten years ago. Now, such a scenario threatens again, with the consequence that expensive gas-fired power plants would have to run much longer than necessary. Reiche (CDU) was, before her move to head the Ministry for Economic Affairs, CEO of Eon subsidiary Innogy Westenergie.
Grid Expansion Not Keeping Pace with New Installations
According to the minister's draft bill, the construction of new plants is to be better synchronized with grid expansion and costs are to be reduced. Currently, grid expansion cannot keep pace with the construction of new installations. As a result, so-called curtailment of wind and solar plants is repeatedly used to avoid grid bottlenecks.
When output is reduced or shut down, operators have so far received compensation, which costs billions every year. The ministry wants to change this. Particularly burdened grid areas could be designated as "capacity-limited" - in the case of curtailments, no compensation would be paid for new connections at the affected locations./klm/DP/mis
