EU urges Germany to make progress on key transmission lines
The European Commission pressures Germany to make progress on expanding its power transmission grid and the important north-south SuedLink and SuedOstLink power lines, Michael Bauchm眉ller and Thomas Kirchner write in the S眉ddeutsche Zeitung. The 700-kilometre lines are designed to deliver renewable power from Germany鈥檚 windy north to industrial centres in the south. They are meant to prevent the system from shutting down wind turbines in periods of excess power production, and to avoid having to fall back on conventional plants because wind power cannot reach the south. The Commission has identified the power lines that are slated for completion by 2025 as a 鈥減roject of common European interest鈥�, which allows Germany to draw on EU funds to cover construction costs and to benefit from quicker licensing procedures, the authors say. Germany鈥檚 Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) says that preparations continue 鈥渁ccording to plan鈥�, but given the sustained resistance to the massive infrastructure project by affected residents, completion by 2025 might turn out to be 鈥�an optimistic target鈥�, the authors write.
See the 威力彩玩法 dossier The energy transition and Germany鈥檚 power grid for background.