Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has cautioned Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) against slowing down the expansion of renewable energy sources. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Schneider emphasized the importance of making the energy transition more efficient without compromising its pace.
Schneider highlighted that increasing renewable energy generation capacity is the initial step. He stressed the necessity for policies prioritizing grid infrastructure, energy storage solutions and a dynamic, flexible interaction between energy supply and demand, enabling real-time balance between the two. He warned that slowing down this development would be a mistake.
The Minister underscored the value of trust and reliability, stating that Germany’s significant progress in renewable energy represents a competitive advantage. He noted that the cost of wind and solar power continues to decrease and that it is now crucial to maintain this growth trajectory and strategically plan for the future.
Schneider believes Germany’s lead in renewable energy expansion provides grid operators with the opportunity to prioritize and improve the efficiency of grid development. He expressed confidence in the Federal Network Agency’s handling of this matter and advocated for minimal political intervention.
Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) is scheduled to present the Energy Transition Monitoring Report next week, which she intends to use as a basis for future expansion plans concerning both renewable and other energy sources. Previously, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) suggested a potential slowdown in the expansion of wind and solar energy.
Climate scientists analyzing data for the “Climate Action Tracker” indicate that current climate protection measures planned through 2030 could place Germany on a path to limiting global warming to less than two degrees Celsius. The International Court of Justice recently clarified that states can face legal claims for climate damages in the event of exceeding the 1.5-degree threshold.