The Federation of German Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) has sharply criticized the federal government’s commitment to expanding the national electricity grids. In a policy paper, the industry lobby group is demanding a massive acceleration of this grid expansion, suggesting measures such as reducing the time required for environmental assessments.
According to the statement, which was reported by Spiegel, the lawmakers must implement measures that will contribute quickly and effectively to a noticeable speed increase in grid development. The BDEW insists that a continuous and consistent expansion of transmission lines is one of the “most important levers” for successfully achieving the energy transition. The association currently criticizes the slow pace, noting that it can take ten years to complete a single 110-kilovolt line-a timeframe the BDEW deems “unacceptable” for an industrial center like Germany.
The BDEW highlights an effective tool that the governing coalition has yet to utilize: the Infrastructure Future Law (Infrastruktur-Zukunftsgesetz). This legislation aims to simplify the use of the dedicated infrastructure funds, which total €500 billion. However, the law remains stuck in parliament. The BDEW urges that this regulation be urgently expanded to address the needs of the energy sector.
Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the BDEW’s main management board, told Spiegel that electricity grids are the fundamental “backbone” of the energy transition. Given the continued increase in decentralized feeding and consumption, further expansion is considered crucial for the competitiveness of Germany. Andreae concluded by calling on politicians to act immediately and to substantially accelerate planning and permitting processes.
