Questions and answers about transforming the energy system

Construction of new power lines

1. How expensive will it be to construct new power lines, and how long will this take?

   The four transmission grid operators are for the first time to draw up on the basis of up-to-date energy industry scenarios a grid development plan which will show the need for expansion up to 2022. This draft is first to be presented to the public on 1 June 2012 and then passed to the Federal Network Agency for scrutiny. No serious statement about the costs involved can be made before the final grid development plan is on the table.

2. How will new power lines be pushed through in the face of local resistance among the population?

   The German government will rely on intensive dialogue with the population. Everyone should understand why we need new power lines. What is clear is that we have to keep grid expansion as free from conflicts as possible, i.e. plan it and implement it together with the public. What is also clear, however, is that we cannot say "No" all the time. More renewable energy in the grid, new conventional power plants and increasing electricity trading in Europe call for modification and expansion of the grids. To foster public acceptance and support for the urgently needed grid expansion, the German government will launch an information offensive. Today the Federal Environment Ministry is already supporting the Grid Expansion Forum of Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which brings together politicians and grid operators, conservationists and energy experts, scientists and civic action groups. This forum is working to reduce the element of conflict in the restructuring of our power grids.

3. What exactly is meant by 'improved general conditions for the expansion of storage capacities'?

   In the longer term, the German government wants to exempt energy storage facilities from grid charges in order to create stronger incentives for investment. The development of new storage technologies is to be given targeted support. However, there is also the question of gaining acceptance for storage facilities. These are integral to the transformation of our energy system and needed in order to create an energy system based on renewable energies that will meet our future needs. The German government is appealing to the Länder and local authorities to give such projects their political backing and campaign positively for the expansion of storage capacities.

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