German renewables associations call for new energy transition policy

Nov 22, 2013 - The BEE group for renewable energy and associations for biogas, solar and wind power have proposed measures to the future German government to improve the ongoing energy transition.

The groups criticised plans for the construction of conventional power plants, pointing to the overcapacity in electricity production. The sector also objected to the government's plans to put a limit on the renewable energy expansion to a 40% share of power generation by 2020 and 55% by 2030.

According to the head of German biogas association Fachverband Biogas, Horst Seide, the flexible power production from biogas can compensate for fluctuations in the supply of wind and solar energy, which will be the focus of the expansion according to the government's plans. However, the industry needs the state to back the further development of energy crops for future biogas plants, he added.

In addition, the photovoltaic market has slumped by more than 60% since the massive incentive cuts last year. The solar industry is currently unable to play the desired key role in the energy transition, the head of BSW Solar, Guenther Haeckl, said. He criticised the additional taxes, surcharges and administrative barriers proposed in the coalition talks.

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