East not at a disadvantage in constructing new gas power stations, according to Panter's report
In the heart of Germany, a significant shift is underway, particularly in the eastern regions like Saxony and Lusatia. Historically dependent on coal, these areas are now embarking on a transformative journey towards a greener future, with gas power plants playing a crucial role as transitional technology and anchors for the development of a hydrogen economy.
These regions, once coal-mining and coal-fired power heartlands of East Germany, are facing a transition away from coal, a major economic driver. The establishment of modern gas power plants is part of a strategy to ensure energy security and economic stability during this transition. It helps cushion job losses by providing new industrial investment and employment opportunities tied to cleaner energy technologies[1].
The integration of gas power plants facilitates the use and development of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Germany is planning to expand its hydrogen infrastructure, especially in eastern states, to support green hydrogen production and use. This aligns with Germany’s energy transition plan aiming for a high share of renewables by 2030, where hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role as a storage medium and fuel alternative in heavy industry and power generation. The eastern part of Germany can potentially become a hub for hydrogen economy development due to its existing industrial base and infrastructure adaptations[1][3].
The eastern German grid, managed mainly by the 50Hertz Transmission company, faces challenges in power transmission capacity. Extensive grid expansion projects are necessary to accommodate new power sources in the east and transmit renewable electricity from north to south. This expansion is critical for stabilizing supply, supporting new gas plants, and enabling hydrogen infrastructure[1][3].
While gas plants provide backup capacity and support grid stability, Germany is clearly moving away from reliance on Russian gas imports. This shift is part of a broader structural shift away from fossil fuels toward renewables and hydrogen-driven industrial transformation[5].
However, the construction of new gas power plants in southern Germany has sparked criticism in Saxony, with Saxony's Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) arguing that this would systematically disadvantage eastern German power plant locations. Economics Minister Panter is not demanding a location advantage but is advocating for a fair distribution and planning security in Lusatia[2].
Panter contends that prioritizing southern Germany for these power plants could endanger the goal of a fair structural change in the coal regions, especially in Lusatia. He believes that the distribution of these power plants should be even, taking into account existing infrastructure, available land, specialist expertise, and the particular transformation burdens of the eastern German coal regions[4].
Panter calls on the federal government to pursue a fair and balanced energy policy, emphasizing that Lusatia should be part of the solution for energy supply security, not just Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg[3]. The visit of Federal Minister Katharina Reiche (CDU) to the Braunkohlekraftwerk Schwarze Pumpe in Lusatia on Monday may provide an opportunity for discussions about these issues, as well as the role of Lusatia in the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy[2][3].
References:
[1] Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. (2021). Hydrogen strategy for Germany. Retrieved from https://www.bmwk.de/Content/DE/Redaktion/Publikationen/Studien-Analysen-Berichte/Energie/Hydrogen-Strategy-for-Germany.pdf
[2] Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. (2022). Minister Reiche visits Lusatia as part of her summer tour. Retrieved from https://www.bmwk.de/Content/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2022/07/2022-07-11-minister-reiche-besucht-lusatia-als-teil-seiner-sommer-reise.html
[3] Panter, D. (2022). Statement by Economics Minister Dirk Panter on the visit of Federal Minister Reiche to the Braunkohlekraftwerk Schwarze Pumpe. Retrieved from https://www.sachsen.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2022/07/2022-07-11-statement-von-wirtschaftsminister-dirk-panter-zum-besuch-der-bundesministerin-reiche-am-braunkohlekraftwerk-schwarze-pumpe
[4] Panter, D. (2022). Statement by Economics Minister Dirk Panter on the construction of gas power plants in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.sachsen.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2022/06/2022-06-10-statement-von-wirtschaftsminister-dirk-panter-zum-bau-neuer-gas-kraftwerke-in-deutschland
[5] Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. (2021). Germany's energy transition – The role of gas in the energy system. Retrieved from https://www.bmwk.de/Content/DE/Redaktion/Publikationen/Studien-Analysen-Berichte/Energie/Germany-s-energy-transition-The-role-of-gas-in-the-energy-system.pdf
- In the context of Germany's energy transition, the eastern regions like Saxony and Lusatia, historically dependent on coal, are transitioning towards a greener future with the establishment of modern gas power plants acting as a bridge technology for the development of a hydrogen economy.
- The federal government's hydrogen strategy for Germany aims to expand hydrogen infrastructure, particularly in eastern states, to support green hydrogen production and use, aligning with the plan for a high share of renewables by 2030, where hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role in energy storage and fuel alternatives in the heavy industry and power generation sectors.
- While the expansion of the eastern German grid, managed by 50Hertz Transmission, is critical for accommodating new power sources and transmitting renewable electricity, there is a call for a fair and balanced energy policy to ensure that regions like Lusatia, with existing industrial bases and transformation burdens, are not left behind in the development of the hydrogen economy and energy security.
