The German government on Thursday amended the law that provides for the expansion of the country's power transmission network to facilitate the energy transition.
Alongside the expansion of renewable energies, the expansion of the power grid for long-distance electricity transport are key for the success of Germany's energy targets, according to the federal government.
"Congestions in the power transmission grid can thus be eliminated," said German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier in the Bundesrat (Federal Council), adding that grid expansion was "a key element of a successful energy transition."
For environmentalists, the country's energy transition is not proceeding fast enough. Climate Alliance Germany, which brings together non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Friends of the Earth (BUND), is calling for renewable energies to account for 75 percent of the country's electricity consumption by 2030, ten percent more than the government's current target.
"For too long, the German government has hesitated on climate protection, (and as a result) the 2030 climate targets set for Germany are already outdated," said BUND Managing Director Antje von Broock, adding that it is crucial that "effective climate protection measures are now consistently implemented to steer us onto a Paris-compliant path."
By 2030, Germany aims to achieve a 65 percent share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption. Since nuclear and coal-fired power plants are being gradually shut down, electricity generated in the north of Germany from wind turbines has to be routed to the industry-heavy south of the country.
