The German transmission system operator 50Hertz is strongly advocating for the rapid construction of new natural gas power plants. The push comes after a recent critical period where renewable energy sources supplied less than ten percent of the required electricity during a spell with minimal wind.
In an interview, Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50-Hertz, explained that while renewables might increase to around 20 percent on such days in five or ten years, a significant shortfall-80 percent-would still remain. He added that current battery storage technologies are insufficient to cover periods when wind speeds and solar output are low.
Kapferer noted that although “battery technologies. are making great progress,” capable of running for up to eight hours now, the recent 2025 event featured a complete blackout scenario lasting over 200 hours, or roughly nine days. According to him, this level of prolonged energy deficit cannot be managed without deploying new gas power plants and that the ten gigawatts required from the initial tender process are definitely necessary.
The tendering process for these gas-fired power stations is scheduled for later this year. Kapferer stressed the urgency, suggesting that the Federal Government needs to pass the corresponding resolution in the Bundestag before the summer recess-a timing he described as absolutely critical. He pointed out that historically, construction and approval processes have taken a minimum of four years; currently, only a narrow window remains available for such large-scale projects to be completed in time. Furthermore, reliance on coal power plants during a critical period is undesirable, as lignite facilities are considered the dirtiest among fossil fuel options and lack the operational flexibility of gas turbines.
The operator also reassured stakeholders that expanding renewables will not impede the development of these necessary power stations. Kapferer argued that new gas plants would never displace solar or wind farms in electricity generation because the gas solution is significantly more expensive-it simply doesn’t make economic sense to replace a cheaper renewable source with a costly fossil fuel plant.
Stefan Kapferer has served as CEO of 50-Hertz since 2019. The company is responsible for managing the power grid in Berlin, Hamburg, and all the federal states in Eastern Germany.
