Energieversorgung: EU genehmigt deutsche Milliarden für Gaskraftwerke

The European Union has given the green light for Germany to fund the construction of new gas power plants using a billion-euro package starting from 2031. The EU Commission approved support of up to 35 billion euros for the planned investment. Germany aims to build numerous new gas power plants in the next five years, although this decision was already made.

The EU funding will come from all electricity users through a new levy starting from 2031. The exact impact on electricity prices remains unclear. The EU Commission justified its approval by stating that the measure is necessary for energy supply security and that the level of support matches the actual need. It is also important that the funding is awarded in a fair, non-discriminatory manner.

The impact on EU competition will be limited. The 11 gigawatt of new capacity is expected to be operational by the end of 2031. Power plant operators can bid for these projects in an auction. Initially, the new plants will burn natural gas, resulting in greenhouse gases. However, by 2045, they will run on "climate-neutral" hydrogen, designed from the start for this purpose.

The power plants will help avoid potential supply gaps starting in 2031 and step in when there is insufficient wind and solar energy. A capacity market is set to begin in 2032, paying power plant operators to maintain capacity that is not currently needed. Germany also plans to continue expanding renewable energy sources. By 2030, at least 80% of electricity will come from wind, sun, and other renewables.

By 2038, Germany will phase out coal-fired power generation. The EU has strict rules when a country wants to support domestic enterprises with financial injections to prevent, for example, a financially strong country like Germany from giving its companies an unfair advantage and pushing out competition. Therefore, projects like the now-approved ones must be reviewed and authorized by the EU Commission.