Baden-Württemberg is being pressed by EnBW for a decisive agreement regarding wind energy expansion.
In a bid to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy in the region, EnBW, a leading energy provider in Germany, is advocating for the Baden-Württemberg state government to speed up and simplify the approval procedures for wind power installations.
The company's call for action comes as a result of the regulatory and planning hurdles that have slowed down project approvals and construction, hindering EnBW's growth in wind power. EnBW's focus on ramping up wind power, both offshore and onshore, underscores the importance of streamlined procedures for wind projects to succeed.
According to Dirk Guesewell, head of portfolio development and designated board member for critical infrastructure at EnBW, the energy transition needs active commitment from the state government. Guesewell further expressed that discussions about wind power often focus on problems rather than societal benefits.
In 2020, EnBW added slightly over 100 megawatts in wind power, but the growth was mainly achieved through acquisitions of existing projects abroad. For the first time, EnBW brought more projects onto the grid in photovoltaics than in wind power, measured in newly installed capacity in megawatts.
EnBW's struggle with wind power expansion mirrors the challenges faced by energy companies in Germany, where regulatory delays and complex permitting processes are common. The company is committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2035 and growing renewable energies as a main component of their business.
To achieve these goals, EnBW suggests that the state government should:
- Accelerate bureaucratic approval processes for wind power infrastructure.
- Provide clearer policy frameworks supporting renewable energy expansions.
- Possibly increase incentives or remove obstacles that currently hinder wind farm development in Baden-Württemberg.
Additionally, EnBW wishes for initiatives to reduce the approval duration for wind turbine construction, as the current process takes six years. The company also suggests that the state government could decide which of its own areas to make available for wind power and intervene in the distance regulation of wind turbine construction from residential construction.
EnBW's photo in this article features wind turbines, courtesy of dts Nachrichtenagentur.
[1] EnBW invests billions in renewable energy [2] EnBW's He Dreiht offshore wind farm [3] EnBW's commitment to wind power expansion [4] EnBW's ambition to become climate-neutral by 2035
- EnBW's call for streamlined approval processes in the renewable-energy industry, particularly for wind power, stems from the regulatory hurdles that have hindered their growth and expansion.
- To expedite the energy transition and achieve climate-neutrality by 2035, EnBW proposes that the state government should offer financing, incentives, clearer policies, and reduced approval durations for renewable-energy projects, specifically wind power.
