Newly Expressed Cautious Optimism in Lausitz Following Reich's Pledges Regarding Gas Supply
In the heart of Germany, the Lusatia region, historically a major coal mining area, is undergoing a significant transformation. Coal pits are gradually being replaced by new gas-fired power plants and other energy infrastructure projects, aligning with Germany’s energy transition that aims to retire coal plants in favour of cleaner sources.
LEAG, the main energy producer in Lusatia, is actively planning a new gas-fired power plant in the region. This deliberate move from coal to gas is aimed at maintaining energy supply and grid stability while reducing carbon emissions. The German government has EU approval for more than half of its planned gas power plants nationwide, including those in Lusatia, as part of a buildup to 20 GW of new gas-fired capacity by 2030.
Investment in energy storage, such as battery systems, is also expanding in Saxony/Lusatia to complement intermittent renewable sources and gas plants, adding flexibility and reliability to the grid.
However, the plans for gas power plant expansion have raised concerns in the Lusatia region. Lars Katzmarek, spokesman for Lusatia in the SPD state parliament faction, considers Lusatia an ideal location for new gas power plants due to its existing infrastructure, heavy industry, and electricity supply to nearby cities. Yet, the region is still wary, having had abstract promises from Reiche's predecessor in the Federal Ministry of Economics, Robert Habeck (Greens).
The Lusatia region, a brown coal mining region in southern Brandenburg and northern Saxony, fears being forgotten due to the federal government's plans to expand gas power plants. The state government has expressed concern that the "southern bonus" could mean "high energy costs for all consumers."
Lars Katzmarek believes the conversion of gas power plants to hydrogen is relatively simple, but it requires the exchange of turbines, combustion chambers, and associated systems. However, there are too few electrolysers to produce the amount of hydrogen necessary for constant power generation. The long-term plan is to convert the gas power plants to hydrogen, but Federal Minister Reiche has not made concrete statements about how or when this will happen.
The coal miners of Lusatia, represented by the Industrial Union of Mining, Chemistry, and Energy (IG BCE), have expressed their concerns through demonstrations and calls for firm guarantees. A demonstration organized by the IG BCE was held in a football stadium, with 1500 coal miners participating. Reni Richter, district chairwoman of IG BCE in Lusatia, stated that they are cautious with promises and would like to see more concrete statements from Reiche.
Despite the apprehensions, the principle promises made by Reiche are welcomed by the region. The transition from coal to gas, and eventually to hydrogen, is expected to reduce reliance on coal mining and support energy security as renewables scale up. The region, once a symbol of Germany's coal-powered past, is now poised to play a significant role in its clean energy future.
- The transition of LEAG, the main energy producer in Lusatia, from coal to gas aligns with the German government's strategy, which includes investment in gas power plants as part of a plan to reach 20 GW of new gas-fired capacity by 2030.
- Despite the plans for gas power plant expansion, there is fear in the Lusatia region that the "southern bonus" could lead to high energy costs for all consumers, and concerns have been expressed by the Industrial Union of Mining, Chemistry, and Energy (IG BCE).
- The long-term plan aims to convert gas power plants to hydrogen, but there are limitations, such as the lack of electrolysers to produce the necessary amount of hydrogen for constant power generation, raising questions about the timeline and implementation of this plan.
