Expanding renewable energy by 2035 with the Easter Package
We are making it our shared mission to dramatically accelerate the expansion of renewable energy and to clear away all obstacles and barriers.
(Coalition Agreement, lines 1801-1802)
To exit fossil fuels as quickly as possible and drive forward the expansion of renewable energy, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection submitted the so-called "Easter Package" to the Federal Cabinet in April 2022. But what exactly is behind this metaphorical term?
The "Easter Package" is a comprehensive legislative package that implements many energy policy content items from the coalition agreement. This package represents the largest energy policy legislative change in decades. It will comprehensively accelerate the expansion of renewable energy – on water, on land, and on rooftops.
The goal: By 2035, electricity in Germany should come almost entirely from renewable sources.
What measures are included in the Easter Package?
First, we should note that the content of the Easter Package is quite extensive. In the following, we focus on the points most important for the construction industry.
The Easter Package is intended to, among other things:
- create new areas for the expansion of photovoltaics (PV)
- enable greater participation by municipalities in PV and wind power projects
- equip even weaker wind locations with the latest system technologies
- designate more space for offshore wind power in the North and Baltic Seas
- reduce obstacles in planning and approval for power grid and wind power expansion
An important role is played here by the new classification that the use of renewable energy is of "paramount public interest" and thus serves "public safety." The intensification of the climate crisis and Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine show us how important it is to switch to renewable energy. On one hand, renewable energy advances climate protection, and on the other, the switch leads to reduced dependence on other nations.
With the planned measures, the expansion of wind and solar energy – which has been barely advanced in Germany in recent years – should finally be implemented. The planned actions are to take effect as quickly as possible and "obstacles and barriers" for renewable energy are to be cleared away. The coordination process until wind turbines are approved takes an enormously long time due to many regulations, too long:
"One of our customers has been planning wind turbine construction for 1.5 years – because the approval processes are very lengthy and difficult, we have not yet been able to deliver suitable construction equipment through klarx," says Fabian Landstorfer, Key Account Management at klarx.
This and much more is set to change with the Easter Package. A total of 56 legislative changes are planned. The focus is on accelerated expansion of renewable energy. It is also being driven by the elimination of German bureaucracy. Applications, review procedures, and calls for bids are being simplified and accelerated.
What does the energy transition mean for the construction industry?
For onshore wind energy, expansion rates are being increased to 10 GW per year, so that by 2030 wind energy plants on land totaling around 115 GW should be installed in Germany. For solar energy, expansion rates are being increased to 22 GW per year, so that by 2030 solar plants (rooftop systems, ground-mounted systems, special solar installations) totaling around 215 GW should be installed in Germany (Source ).
For comparison: In 2020, Germany installed 1,431 megawatts, i.e., 1.4 GW or 420 onshore wind energy plants. Here the federal government is planning a significant increase (Source no longer available: https://www.enercon.de/de/aktuelles/enercon-begruesst-osterpaket-der-deutschen-bundesregierung/).
What klarx customers are saying about the Easter Package
But what do these measures really mean for the construction industry? And for our customers in the photovoltaics and geothermal sectors?
ENERCON GmbH is the largest German manufacturer of wind energy plants and one of our most loyal customers. "After years of market decline, a renaissance of wind energy in Germany is in sight – we're very pleased about that," explains ENERCON CEO Dr. Jürgen Zeschky. "As a manufacturer of wind energy plants, we will support this endeavor with all our might." (Source no longer available: https://www.enercon.de/de/aktuelles/enercon-begruesst-osterpaket-der-deutschen-bundesregierung/)
Also Enpal is benefiting enormously from the new legislative change by the Greens. The advantage of solar, of course, is that demand doesn't just come from the state, but private households are also increasingly preferring solar on their rooftops. "Given the energy crisis that has gripped Germany for weeks, there is much to do. Demand has really exploded – I've never experienced anything like this," said co-founder Mario Kohle in the podcast "Die Stunde Null". "Since the start of the war and rising energy prices, many people have suddenly realized they want a solar system – or also storage, heat pumps, and electric cars." (Source )
One thing is certain: For our customers, this means construction projects can start faster by shortening approval loops. Additionally, the topic of PV and wind power plants is receiving more attention. And that's a good thing: after all, wind power is the second most important energy source, despite difficulties in expansion. (Source no longer available: https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/windkraft-weltweite-energiequelle-grafiken-100.html )
What does the Easter Package mean for klarx?
The expansion of renewable energy is closely linked to our company philosophy, which pays great attention to the topic of "sustainable construction industry." Robert Habeck is setting a signal with the introduction of the Easter Package for the necessity that things must change – for a climate-neutral Europe.
With the help of the Easter Package's measures, we can support our customers even better in realizing sustainable construction projects. Reducing lengthy approval loops brings better planning and faster action for both sides.
But especially one point is of great relevance here: renewable energy, including photovoltaics and geothermal systems, are crisis-proof. A look back and forward shows us that there is great potential there and it will remain indispensable in the future.
At klarx, we are committed to sustainable construction projects and bring a lot of expertise in this field. More information can be found on our photovoltaics page .
