Germans Push for More Renewable Energy; Offshore Wind To Benefit

Berlin, Germany --Germany's federal government has hatched a plan to accelerate the expansion of the country's energy grid to transport more renewable energy, particularly from offshore wind farms, after Japan's nuclear disaster alerted voters in the Europe's largest electricity market of the pressing need for non-nuclear power.Under the plan, the Economics Ministry would use its fast-track powers to expedite the approval process for building transmission routes, among other planned measures. To date, one of the main obstacles of upgrading Germany’s network to carry energy generated by solar and wind has been the country’s patchwork approval process.

Currently, the responsibility is shared between states and local communities. This arrangement has caused delays in the past, mostly by residents who oppose high-voltage transmission lines running above or below their property and who have filed lawsuits.

After a recent meeting of EU ministers in Brussels, German Economics Minister said the goal is to establish a system of uniform rules and, above all,” shorten the approval process.”