2024-05-20 18:25:39
For the power transition to succeed, electrical energy highways are wanted shortly. However the prices are immense. Do you want a change in technique?
Within the debate in regards to the development of latest electrical energy highways, an increasing number of nation leaders are in favor of relying extra on above-ground high-voltage strains once more. “The development of above-ground energy strains has confirmed itself,” stated Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) t-online. “Subsequently, this route ought to be continued the place development has already taken place above floor or the place the above-ground route is usually unproblematic and a better tempo of enlargement might be achieved in consequence.”
The brand new high-voltage strains are wanted in order that the facility grid can transport the rising quantity of renewable power to the place it’s consumed sooner or later. The strains might be constructed underground or above floor. Earlier than Dreyer, the Baden-Württemberg Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) and the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) had already spoken out in favor of above-ground strains.
With the growing transfer away from underground cabling there may be hope that line development will change into quicker and cheaper – which might even have a optimistic impact on the value of electrical energy for shoppers.
“Want huge enlargement shortly”
“We want an enormous enlargement of the electrical energy infrastructure in a short time so as to obtain the power transition,” stated Malu Dreyer, explaining her stance. Michael Kretschmer advised the Editorial Community Germany (RND) on Tuesday: “We might save an enormous quantity of money and time on enlargement.” Based on Winfried Kretschmann, 20 billion euros may very well be saved.
In 2015, the grand coalition stipulated by legislation that the so-called extra-high voltage direct present transmission strains ought to be constructed “primarily” as underground cables. On the time, the draft invoice spoke of extra prices that have been “estimated to be an element of two to a few” in comparison with overhead strains. The argument for underground cables then, as now, was that there was much less interference with nature and that they have been due to this fact extra prone to be accepted by individuals.
Doubts about previous arguments
Nevertheless, there are actually doubts about each arguments. “A 40-meter-wide trench runs via your complete republic for underground cabling,” stated Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Kretschmann to the RND. “Placing up masts could be a a lot smaller intrusion.”
In Hesse, too, the state authorities is questioning whether or not the arguments for underground cabling on the time are nonetheless legitimate. “In view of the immense extra prices amounting to billions, it’s justified to ask the query whether or not this path ought to be continued sooner or later,” stated the Hessian Economics Minister Kaweh Mansoori (SPD) t-online. “That is all of the extra true as a result of underground cabling initiatives are in no way conflict-free. Right here, too, there are main interventions within the panorama.”
Mansoori referred to as for a severe debate, as reliability was additionally wanted for ongoing initiatives. And the Hessian Minister of Economics demanded: “A severe examination is required as to how the associated fee will increase in community charges might be curbed.”
The Ministry of Financial Affairs can also be involved
Issues about future value will increase are additionally shared by Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and his ministry. The enlargement of the electrical energy community is financed via so-called community charges. These, in flip, are paid by shoppers and make up round 20 % of the electrical energy value.
The prices for the enlargement are excessive. It was solely in the beginning of March that the accountable Federal Community Company acknowledged that your complete community enlargement would value round 320 billion euros. Habeck needs to mitigate the value enhance for shoppers by stretching it over a long time with a so-called amortization account. The concept is that the prices of electrical energy manufacturing will proceed to fall throughout this time via the enlargement of renewable energies.
The site visitors mild authorities had just lately selected a comparable amortization account for the event of the hydrogen core community. Nevertheless, the FDP has up to now had issues about doing the identical factor with the electrical energy grid and thus shifting excessive prices once more into the long run.