The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) has published consultation documents outlining plans to implement a Power Plant Safety Act (KWSG). The consultation, open until 23 October 2024, invites public feedback, which will shape the final political and legal framework for the strategy.
The first document focuses on tenders for 5 GW of hydrogen-ready gas-fired plants and 2 GW for retrofitting old gas-fired power plants to use hydrogen, with the goal of converting them to 100% hydrogen operation. It also proposes tenders for 0.5 GW of hydrogen-only power plants and 0.5 GW of long-term electricity storage systems. This decarbonisation effort aims to reduce CO2 emissions, boost the hydrogen economy, and transition to a fully decarbonised electricity system.
The second document details tenders for an additional 5 GW of power plant capacity to ensure electricity supply security, emphasising flexible and stable plant operations.
The tenders, which should begin by late 2024 / early 2025, will offer subsidies covering investments costs and the difference in operating costs between hydrogen and natural gas for 800 full-load hours per year. The projects, which should be predominantly built in southern Germany, are expected to switch to hydrogen within 8 years. The scheme secured approval from the European Commission in June 2024.
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