Uniper CEO calls for faster approval processes for gas power plants
Michael Lewis, CEO of the Düsseldorf-based power and gas company Uniper, is calling on the new federal government to speed up approval processes for gas power plants. “We need the Germany pace for gas power plants – just like in 2022, when Uniper built Germany’s first liquefied natural gas terminal in Wilhelmshaven after the outbreak of the Ukraine war” he told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Thursday edition).
The federal government plans to subsidize the construction of gas power plants that will step in when wind and solar parks produce insufficient electricity. Lewis described it as “absolutely crucial” that the government not waste any more time: “Germany needs more reliable capacity: power plants that can always deliver. There is already a gap here and it will become much larger by 2030” the British manager, who has been leading Uniper for almost two years, said.
The high electricity prices in Germany are “a life-threatening problem” for many industrial enterprises, he added. Uniper is Germany’s largest gas importer and was nationalized at the end of 2022 to prevent a bankruptcy following Russia’s gas supply stoppage. Lewis said to SZ that Uniper wants to “never again become dependent on a supplier – as we were in the past on Gazprom: We have learned from our mistakes.”
In addition, Uniper owns, among other things, hydroelectric power plants in Bavaria. Minister President Markus Söder (CSU) has announced that the government wants to take over these power plants from Uniper starting in 2030. Lewis expressed his disagreement: “The hydroelectric power plants are a very important part of our portfolio. We have extensive experience and are the best owners – also because we are able to invest a lot.”
Furthermore, Uniper is involved in three Swedish nuclear power plants. Lewis announced further investments in these nuclear power plants: “Nuclear power is an important business field for us. We are very satisfied to have this CO2-free electricity in our portfolio and are ready to invest in the extension of the power plant’s operating life.