Construction of new gas power stations in Germany is still stalled. Even two months after the basic agreement with the EU Commission, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy-headed by Katherina Reiche of the CDU-has not yet submitted a draft of the power‑plant strategy to Brussels, the “Spiegel” reports, citing the Commission.
A ministry spokesperson told the magazine that the tendering of new plants may be postponed until the summer. This depends on the Commission’s review and approval of the related subsidy legislation. However, the necessary coordination between federal ministries has not even begun. In particular, the partnership between Reiche’s ministry and the Environment Ministry, led by Carsten Schneider of the SPD, is still pending. Inside government circles, no drafts of the amendments to the Renewable Energy Act or the so‑called Grid Package have been produced. Both pieces of legislation are pivotal for Germany’s energy transition, and the Economy Ministry is at the forefront of those efforts.
Gas plants must be connected to the grid by 2031 at the latest. Failing to do so risks supply shortages as coal plants are shut down and wind and solar penetration increases during dark periods.