Economic Minister views the League as leading contenders in gas-fired power plants. - Economic Minister finds League supportive of gas-fueled power plants
Germany is planning to construct new gas power plants, with up to 20 gigawatts of capacity set to be built by 2030, according to the coalition agreement of CDU, CSU, and SPD. In this context, the energy producer Leag, based in Lusatia, Brandenburg, is perceived as having an advantage in constructing new gas-fired power plants.
Daniel Keller, Brandenburg's Minister of Economics, sees an advantage for Leag in this process due to the company's existing power plant site and established power infrastructure in Lusatia. This infrastructure, coupled with Leag's experience managing the coal phase-out, facilitates a transition to gas-fired plants.
The locations of Schwarze Pumpe (Brandenburg) and Lippendorf (Saxony) are part of the regions where Leag is planning gas power plants. Keller emphasized the urgency for new gas power plants in the medium term, with tenders to be launched by December. He argued that the speed at which a power plant can be built should be a crucial factor in this process.
However, there is concern and criticism about a proposed "southern bonus" that would favor gas power plant construction in southern Germany (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg), potentially disadvantaging Lusatia's plans. Dirk Panter, Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs, argues for a fair and balanced energy policy that fairly distributes new gas power plants, considering Lusatia’s existing infrastructure, available space, technical expertise, and the region's structural challenges during the coal phase-out.
Leag's gas plants are seen as important for securing energy supply during times when renewables underperform and are strategic anchors for ramping up a hydrogen economy in the region. The power plants are planned to step in when electricity demand cannot be met by renewable energies, such as during "dark doldrums" when there is no sun or wind.
Katherina Reiche, the Federal Minister of Economics, has stated that the concern of East Germany being systematically disadvantaged in the construction of new gas power plants is unfounded. Keller expressed confidence that Lusatia will have its chance in the construction of new gas power plants.
This situates Lusatia—and Leag—uniquely compared to Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, which already have advantages of their own, such as established renewable capacities and other infrastructure. The debate centers on achieving a fair distribution of new plants to support all regions' energy transition needs.
[1] German Press Agency [2] Various Sources
- In the context of Germany's renewable-energy industry, the advantage of Leag, a Brandenburg-based energy producer, lies in their existing power plant site and infrastructure in Lusatia, as well as their experience in managing the coal phase-out, which facilitates a transition to gas-fired plants.
- The minimalist approach to new gas power plant construction, focusing on speed, may benefit Lusatia due to its established power infrastructure, as emphasized by Daniel Keller, Brandenburg's Minister of Economics, in opposition to potential favoritism towards southern Germany's regions (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg).
