Northern German states accuse southern states of thwarting energy transition - report

Oct 12, 2012 - The state premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pommerania, Erwin Sellering, fears that the renewable energy policy of southern German states is blocking the expansion of offshore wind power, putting the entire energy transition in the country in jeopardy.

Speaking to daily Hamburger Abendblatt, Sellering accused the southern states, where Germany's solar plants are concentrated, of impeding the process of energy transition in the north where offshore wind power is predominant. Sellering sharply criticised German consumer minister Isle Aigner, saying that she is following a "tough regional policy". Aigner was one of the initiators for a legislation change, passed in August, which puts more pressure on power grid operators in case of delayed connection of power plants.

Sellering is not the only politician to criticise the south. Schleswig-Hostein's premier Torsten Albig also warned that the economic success of the south depends also on the proper expansion of the wind power in northern Germany.

The environment minister of Lower Saxony, Stefan Birkner, spoke of a conflict of interests in offshore power expansion between the north and the south.

The energy transition in Germany is almost grinding to a halt not only because of the vague regulation for offshore wind power but also because of the reform of the Renewable Energy Act.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!