Priority Given to Industrial Electricity Use in Bavaria
Bavaria Proposes Overhaul of Power Grid Connections to Accelerate Network Expansion
In a bold move, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) has proposed a shift in the approach to power grid connections, breaking with a long-standing CSU position that large power lines be laid underground. This change aims to expedite network expansion, addressing economic complaints about slow progress that have been accumulating for years.
Söder's proposal suggests that future large power lines should be built overhead instead of underground. This shift is based on the need for a new "priority list" on a national level, as connections are currently made on a first-come-first-served basis, and operators of battery storage systems are often faster.
The CEO of the Association of Bavarian Chambers of Industry and Commerce (vbw), Bertram Brossardt, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing industry and data centers in new connections. Söder and Bavarian Economic Affairs Minister Hubert Aiwanger have also highlighted the demand for new gas power plants.
The Bavarian state government has announced that it demands a new prioritization list for new power grid connections. This list will ensure secure and affordable energy supply while addressing the challenges of the energy transition. The list involves setting clear priorities to speed up planning and approval processes for grid enhancement projects, thus supporting the integration of renewable energy and maintaining supply security.
Söder has stressed that procedures for maintenance work must also be accelerated. To this end, Bavaria has introduced a "fast lane" for large projects, aiming to ensure that companies should not have to wait years for these priority connections.
Important companies and data centers, crucial for the core of digitization, should receive a "certain prioritization", according to the Bavarian state government. All previously decided underground cables will remain, but the state government is open to overhead lines for new ones.
The approval period for network expansion projects should not exceed two years, as per the Bavarian state government's proposal. The Association of Bavarian Chambers of Industry and Commerce (vbw) and grid operators have welcomed Söder's initiatives and proposals.
Horst Seehofer, Söder's predecessor, insisted that large power lines be laid underground to minimize resistance from the population. However, Söder reaffirmed the need for further acceleration of network expansion, emphasizing that building underground cables is much more expensive and takes longer compared to overhead lines.
This shift in approach is expected to catalyze the expansion of the power grid, ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply while supporting the energy transition.
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