Germany’s Federal Network Agency has identified 5,000 kilometers of power lines that the country requires to facilitate its shift to renewable energy sources by 2030, as reported by Reuters on January 9. The move is part of Germany’s plan to phase out nuclear power and coal-fired power plants and to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 65% by 2030. The agency has called for the construction of these power lines to begin as soon as possible in order to avoid bottlenecks and ensure that the country’s energy transition is on track. The agency estimates that the construction of the power lines will cost around GBP20bn (USD24bn) and will take until 2035 to complete.

In addition to the construction of new power lines, the agency has also called for the creation of a single nationwide market for renewable energy in order to help drive the energy transition. This would involve the integration of various regional markets into a single, cohesive market, which would allow for a more efficient and cost-effective distribution of renewable energy. The agency believes that a single market would help to reduce costs and increase the competitiveness of renewable energy, making it a more viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/german-regulator-identifies-5000-km-aid-green-power-switch-2023-01-09/

https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/issues/sustainability/germany-s-sustainable-development-strategy-354566