Sensible Energy Transition: Keeping the Burden Light in Northern Germany
Deceiving Energy Transition Narratives: Avoid Unnecessary Burdens for Northern Residents - Misrepresentations in Energy Transition: Avoiding Undue Hardship in Northern Regions
When it comes to expanding renewable energies, the burden must not fall heavily on residents in Northern Germany, insists Lower Saxony's Minister President Olaf Lies. "The genesis of several types of renewable energy lies in the North," said the SPD leader to the German Press Agency. "From offshore wind to LNG vessels, and soon hydrogen, we carry a significant role in the energy transition. However, we're not eager to make it an unreasonable burden for our citizens."
Politicians must strike a balance to avoid concentrating the burdens too much. "For instance, can you expand wind energy and then build power lines as overhead lines next to it? That would be unfair to the people," said Lies. "That's why we require underground cabling - to maintain public acceptance for wind energy. I believe that's extremely important."
"Not forever bound to fossil gas"
As Minister of Economics and Energy, Lies has advocated for wind and solar energy growth, but also supported LNG terminals and questioned the 2030 coal phase-out. "Our aim isn't to depend on fossil gas indefinitely," he clarified. "We're building infrastructure that will enable us to import climate-neutral gases in the future. The terminals serve as a bridge to a carbon-neutral future."
"The same applies to gas and coal power plants," continued Lies. "If the federal government acts promptly and ensures the tendering and construction of hydrogen-convertible gas power plants, we can exit coal sooner. But if it takes longer, we'll require coal for longer."
One thing is certain; Lies stated, "We will not shut down power plants we can't do without. That would be reckless." As we continue to push for the energy transition, we must strike a sensible balance.
"It's a matter of sensible distribution, not location"
Lies resides in Sande near Wilhelmshaven, which happens to have LNG infrastructure, planned hydrogen production, and wind turbines in close proximity. Yet, this doesn't help him convince others of the renewable energy expansion, he revealed.
"If I say, look, this is right in my backyard, then I might hear: That's your problem," Lies recalled. What matters is ensuring the transition isn't disproportionately impactful.
- Miner President Olaf Lies
- Energy Transition
- Lower Saxony
- Renewable Energies
- Northern Germany
- Burden Distribution
- SPD
- Overhead Power Lines
- Underground Cabling
- German Press Agency
- Offshore
- LNG
- Hydrogen
Additional Insights:
Germany, and Northern regions like Lower Saxony, face challenges in their energy transition due to high energy costs, reliance on imports, and the impact of phasing out nuclear power. This could contribute to overburdening citizens during the transition, particularly in terms of energy affordability and reliability. Policymakers in Germany, like Olaf Lies, are likely to be concerned with ensuring a fair distribution of burdens during this transformation.
- Olaf Lies, the Minister President of Lower Saxony, emphasizes the importance of distributing the burden of renewable energy expansion sensibly, avoiding an unfair impact on citizens.
- Lies advocates for underground cabling to maintain public acceptance for wind energy, which he believes is crucial for the success of the energy transition in Northern Germany.
- In addition to advocating for wind and solar energy growth, Lies has supported LNG terminals as a bridge to a carbon-neutral future and questioned the 2030 coal phase-out, stating that the aim is not to depend on fossil gas indefinitely.
- Lies believes that policymakers should strive for a fair distribution of burdens during the energy transition, explaining that even if renewable energy infrastructure is located in his own backyard, it does not mean that others will support the transition without careful consideration of burden distribution.
