Germany’s energy transition faces a potential bottleneck in its electricity grid expansion, prompting calls for a revised approach to infrastructure development. Armin Willingmann, Minister for Energy in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, has publicly advocated for a significantly increased construction of overhead power lines (freileitungen) to accelerate the process.
In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” Minister Willingmann emphasized the urgency of expanding Germany’s power grids to avoid hindering the growth of renewable energy sources. He stated that a greater reliance on overhead lines would offer the significant advantages of faster construction timelines and reduced costs compared to alternative solutions.
Transmission network operators have estimated potential savings of up to 20 billion euros through increased usage of this infrastructure, alongside an average reduction of one year per project’s construction duration. Willingmann underscored that the efficiency of grid expansion directly impacts consumer costs, which are ultimately reflected in network fees. “We shouldn’t lose unnecessary time in this area” he stated.
However, Minister Willingmann expressed concerns over proposed energy transition monitoring by federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Katheine Reiche. While he acknowledged the potential for adjustments to detailed aspects of network development plans, he cautioned against a comprehensive revision, which he believes could create significant uncertainty and raise political concerns. He drew a parallel to past assessments of Germany’s energy needs, referencing instances where previous administrations underestimated electricity demand, potentially impeding the pace of the energy transition.