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Power 07/04/2025, 17:37
The self-consumption rate can be increased with an additional storage system.
(Image: Verbraucherzentrale NRW)

Storage units extend amortisation slightly

Bonn - If a storage system is also installed when purchasing a 'Balkonkraftwerk' (balcony power plant), the refinancing period is slightly longer, as a study by EuPD shows. A storage system can nevertheless have a positive impact on profitability.
Power 07/04/2025, 17:35
The framework agreement could slow down the smart meter rollout, according to fears from parts of the industry.
(Image: Eon Metering)

Planned penalties meet with a divided response

Bonn - Some competitive metering point operators are up in arms against a planned new framework agreement. The distribution system operators have a more favourable view of the regulations. energate has taken a look at a corresponding position paper and the responses to the consultation.
Politics 07/04/2025, 17:23
Disruptive signals are coming from Saxony regarding the expansion of wind power.
(Image: Sachsen Energie/Lutz Weidler)

Saxony shakes up the area target for wind energy

Dresden - Saxony's Minister of State for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Regina Kraushaar (CDU), is causing concern in the wind energy sector. She described the two per cent target for wind energy areas as "difficult to implement" for Saxony.
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Politics

Politics 07/04/2025, 16:06
The state-owned KfW Bank also comes into play when it comes to net investments.
(Image: KFW Bankengruppe)

Head of 8KU: KfW loan for grid expansion

Berlin - In order to promote energy transition investments such as grid expansion, Matthias Dümpelmann, managing director of 8KU, is in favour of the granting of subordinated loans by the KfW development bank. This would have advantages for the state and for companies, he believes.
Politics 07/04/2025, 12:21

Power plant plans: Environmental organisation BUND fears higher electricity prices

Berlin - The current plans of the CDU/CSU and SPD parties to increase the number of new gas-fired power plants could increase the price of electricity by 0.6 to 1.6 ct/kWh. According to a study commissioned by the environmental organisation BUND, the new power plant plans will cost between 22.2 and 32.4 billion euros.
Politics 07/04/2025, 11:41

CDU/CSU party plans for CCS at gas-fired power plants spark controversy

Berlin - The CDU/CSU and SPD parties are wrestling in the coalition negotiations over whether CO2 capture and storage (CCS) should be made possible for gas-fired power plants. Industry and the energy sector are largely in agreement: CCS for power plants only makes sense under certain conditions - opportunities lie in the production of blue hydrogen.
Politics 04/04/2025, 11:38

What do you expect from the black-red coalition, Mrs Goldammer?

Berlin - The CDU, CSU and SPD are negotiating the formation of a government in Berlin. energate is asking various stakeholders about their expectations for the energy chapter of the future coalition agreement. Today, Kathrin Goldammer, managing director of the Reiner Lemoine Institute, answered.
Politics 04/04/2025, 11:00

Thuringia hopes for investments in the energy sector

Erfurt - Under pressure from the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), Thuringia did not agree to the federal government's financial package. Thuringia's new BSW energy minister Tilo Kummer is nevertheless counting on the funds. With a new energy law, he also wants to promote acceptance of the energy transition and bring generation and consumption closer together.
All news in the rubric Politics

Market & Industry

Market & Industry 07/04/2025, 15:40
The decarbonisation initiatives in heavy industry are creating good market prospects for large-scale plant construction.
(Image: Envato Elements/IndustryAndTravel)

Large-scale plant engineering benefits from 'green' transformation

Frankfurt am Main - The 'green' transformation towards CO2 neutrality is an economic factor worth billions: decarbonisation in heavy industry and the energy transition are providing Germany's large-scale plant manufacturers with record-breaking full order books. A look at US politics clouds the optimistic view of the German mechanical engineering industry association VDMA.
Market & Industry 07/04/2025, 11:49

New managing director at Stadtwerke Weimar

Weimar - Stadtwerke Weimar has decided on the successor to outgoing managing director Jörn Otto. Constanze Reppin is taking over management of the Thuringian energy supplier from 1 July 2025.
Market & Industry 07/04/2025, 11:10

"I don't think CCS is a comprehensive solution"

Hanover - The capture and storage of CO2 does not make sense for every company, especially as there is a lack of infrastructure, explains Wolfgang Weber, chairman of the ZVEI association's management board. He also doubts whether such a technology is competitive in the long term.
Market & Industry 04/04/2025, 16:00

Sustainability: Reporting obligation to take effect later

Brussels - The EU Parliament has approved the first omnibus proposal: Stop-the-clock postpones the first application of CSRD and CS3D. This puts the focus on the further substantive adjustments planned by the Commission: The reduction of the user group and reporting standards…
Market & Industry 04/04/2025, 15:13

Insolvent construction company becomes core of new municipal utilities division

Amberg - More and more municipal utilities are equipping themselves for the upcoming challenges of the energy transition by taking over civil engineering companies. Stadtwerke Amberg from Bavaria is following this trend and tapping into a new business area. For a traditional regional company, the transaction represents a fresh start out of insolvency.
All news in the rubric Market & Industry

Power

Power 07/04/2025, 15:00
The coal-fired power station has to make way for the converter station. The aerial photo shows the demolition of the boiler house.
(Image: Hagedorn)

Controlled demolition paves the way for converter construction

Ibbenbüren - The RWE coal-fired power plant in Ibbenbüren has been successfully demolished. Now a converter is to be built there. Amprion wants to use this to bring offshore wind power from the North Sea directly to the state of North-Rhine Westphli.
Power 07/04/2025, 14:44

Electricity prices collapse

Aachen - Tariffs of 20 per cent for imports from Europe, 34 per cent for imports from China - Trump's announcements do not bode well for global trade in goods and therefore also for the export-oriented German economy. As a result, prices are falling.
Power 07/04/2025, 12:14

"Smart meter rollout: Cheaper and simpler is possible"

Essen - The smart meter rollout is falling short of expectations. Yet key obstacles could be overcome with just a few regulatory measures, writes Malte Sunderkötter, CEO of Eon Grid Solutions, in a guest comment.
Power 04/04/2025, 16:06

"The approach curbs the increase in grid fees"

Nuremberg - N-Ergie Netz is one of the first grid operators to offer agreements for flexible grid connections. Managing director Kerstin Fröhlich explained in an interview for whom these so-called Flexible Connection Agreements are offered and what challenges the grid operator sees.
Power 04/04/2025, 14:32

Municipal utilities stop wind energy projects

Stuttgart - Stadtwerke Stuttgart has been forced to abandon two wind energy projects. Following a decision by the regional assembly, one site has been cancelled, while another area has been reduced in size to such an extent that its implementation remains uncertain.
All news in the rubric Power

Gas & Heat

Gas & Heat 07/04/2025, 14:08
The heat planning in Elmshorn has already been finalised.
(Image: Envato Elements/poungsaed_eco)

Elmshorn focuses on heat pumps

Elmshorn - Elmshorn has no great hopes for district heating. Instead, the municipal heating plan focuses on decentralised supply and energy-efficient renovations. Electricity and biomass are to play an important role in the heating transition.
Gas & Heat 07/04/2025, 12:39

VNG involves infrastructure fund in biogas business

Leipzig - VNG is bringing an investor on board for its biogas subsidiary Balance Erneuerbare Energien. The infrastructure CVC DIF is joining as a "growth partner". The cooperation is designed for the long term.
Gas & Heat 07/04/2025, 11:49

"Natural gas will not disappear completely from the scene"

Berlin - In an interview with Heiko Lohmann, Jean-Marc Brimont, the managing director of Natran Germany, discusses the planned conversion of the Central European Gas Pipeline (Megal) and the realisation of the hydrogen core grid in Germany.
Gas & Heat 04/04/2025, 16:13

Regas launches open season for second regasification unit

Lubmin - By 2027 at the latest, there will once again be two regasification ships for LNG in the port of Mukran. Deutsche Regas has launched an open season to market the capacities.
Gas & Heat 04/04/2025, 15:58

Prisma says "Thank you" Aggregate EU

Leipzig - The EU Commission wanted to help during the gas crisis, and the Aggregate EU platform was intended to bring customers and producers together. The Leipzig-based company Prisma has now ended its operations, time for a look back and doubts about its success.
All news in the rubric Gas & Heat