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Focus on electricity prices: Northern federal states demand reforms!
Country leaders discuss country-specific electricity prices in Germany. The aim is a more efficient use of renewable energies and stable costs.
Focus on electricity prices: Northern federal states demand reforms!
In a current debate about energy prices, the state leaders of Bremen, Brandenburg, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein clearly spoke out in favor of state-specific electricity prices. Handelsblatt announced this valuable information on Wednesday. Against the background of the existing uniform bidding zone for electricity prices in Germany and Luxembourg, there are efforts to reform this regulation, particularly in northern Germany.
The northern states argue that they have higher electricity generation capacities, particularly through wind energy, while the southern states such as Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse want to stick to the current regulation. Lower Saxony leads with an impressive generation capacity of 12,950 megawatts from wind power, while the southern federal states mentioned only have a total of 4,564 megawatts.
Background and costs
A central problem in the discussion is the redispatch practice, in which unavailable electricity capacities have to be replaced by gas-fired power plants. This measure cost 2.7 billion euros last year. The northern federal states hope that new electricity price zones will provide market incentives for network expansion, which could lead to more efficient use of energy in the long term.
It is crucial that the storage and use of excess electricity is optimized. Regional differences in electricity prices could also attract businesses as this could lead to lower costs, particularly in areas with extensive renewable energy production.
Important framework conditions
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) plays a central role in the implementation of the energy transition. A system stability roadmap has been developed, which defines the requirements for energy supply and grid stability. Various players from the industry are involved in order to create a sound basis for future decisions. A milestone plan with 18 central points, which includes covering system requirements and establishing grid-forming power converters, is currently being pushed forward.
The debate about the introduction of polluter-based local electricity prices could also help to optimize the use of renewable energies. The proposal aims to align energy consumption more closely with renewable energy production, which means encouraging timed use of devices such as washing machines or electric cars. This could reduce the pressure on fossil fuels and have a positive impact on emissions.
Risks and prospects
However, there are also risks, especially in southern federal states, where rising electricity prices are expected as more industrial settlements occur. The Association of Municipal Companies warns urgently of possible negative economic and energy policy consequences that could result from the splitting of the electricity market.
In summary, it can be said that the discussion about reforming electricity pricing in Germany is gaining momentum. With the aim of making the German electricity market more flexible, transparent and efficient, the results of this debate are of great relevance for all citizens and companies. A future-oriented energy policy could not only contribute to the stability of the electricity grid, but also to promoting economic strength in the respective regions.