Hendrik Wüst, the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia (CDU), expressed satisfaction with the cabinet’s decision regarding the power plant strategy. He stated to the “Rheinische Post” that the “Electricity Supply Security and Capacity Act” represents a major step toward increased supply reliability and competitiveness for the industrial region.
Wüst emphasized that for an industrial state like North Rhine-Westphalia, it is crucial to ensure the timely establishment of secure, reliable power generation. This guaranteed capacity must be sufficient to provide a dependable contribution to the electricity supply, even during periods of low renewable output. He noted the positive development that the first auctions are slated to begin in 2026, ensuring that the requirements are set up to build genuinely dependable backup capacities.
The power plant strategy aims to facilitate the construction of new gas-fired plants. These facilities are intended to supplement wind and solar energy, thereby securing the overall electricity supply. According to Wüst, the region requires “additional dispatchable power plants so that industrial production, prosperity, and secure jobs remain reliably guaranteed in the future”.
While the strategy is clear in its goals, Wüst stressed that the immediate next steps require quick parliamentary procedures, swift implementation, and final clarity on subsidy law. He added that invested confidence and planning security are essential for accelerating necessary power plant investments. The head of the NRW government cautioned that Germany cannot afford to lose any more time in building new, reliable capacity, and he pledged that his state government will ensure rapid planning and approval processes.