According to a study published by the German energy agency DENA, Germany will need to invest between €27.5bn and €42.5bn in the development of its electricity distribution networks by 2030, to support the development of renewable generation. The level of investment will depend on the share of renewable power generation in 2030.
DENA considered two scenarios. In the first scenario, the expansion targets correspond to the Reference Scenario B of the Network Development Plan 2012 (TYNDP 2012), which forecasts the installed renewable capacity at 154.5 GW (of which, 61.1 GW will be wind power, 62.8 GW solar PV, 9.2 GW biomass and 21.4 GW conventional CHP). The connection of these capacities would require the construction of 135,000 km of power lines and the renovation of an additional 25,000 km. Investment would reach €27.5bn.
The second scenario is based on an enhanced and more rapid development of wind power and photovoltaics. This scenario plans that renewable capacities will reach 209.7 GW by 2030 (107.9 GW of wind, 71.7 GW of solar PV, 8.7 GW of biomass and 21.4 GW of conventional CHP). Accordingly, the construction of 193,000 km of new power lines and the renovation of 21,000 km will be needed, raising the required investment to €42.5bn.
For both scenarios, the construction of new power lines and transformers at all distribution levels and the conversion of existing high voltage overhead transmission lines are required.