100 percent renewables by 2032: 50Hertz sends clear signal to climate and industry policy makers

With the slogan “From 60 to 100 by 2032: for an economy with prospects”, 50Hertz has set itself the specific goal of getting the electricity demand in its grid area covered – and securely integrated – with 100 percent renewable energies by 2032. In 2019, the annual average share of renewables attained about 60 percent.

50Hertz will align the entire corporate strategy with this new objective and use all its know-how to that end in the scope of its statutory duty to operate the grid securely and reliably. This involves new approaches to system operation, a consistent digitisation of the integration of an increasingly volatile electricity supply as well as the participation in innovative models of sector coupling to generate heat and produce hydrogen from “green” power.

What’s more, 50Hertz seeks to support the federal and state governments to deploy suitable areas and further potentials for the use of wind and solar power. 50Hertz is actively committed to ensuring that he eastern German states, Hamburg and Berlin remain attractive locations for existing commercial enterprises as well as for future industries – by drawing 100 percent of their energy from renewable sources.

50Hertz CEO Stefan Kapferer about the new strategy: “The transformation of our electric power supply has entered a new phase. Today’s parallel existence of a conventional fossil generation system and an energy system based on renewable sources is coming to an end. Wind and solar energy must be able to provide ancillary services in the future. We are determined to drive this transition forward, but now with new and full speed. This way, 50Hertz sends a clear signal, not only regarding climate policy, but also and especially to industry policy makers: more and more companies know that renewables are the future, and they want to align their energy supply accordingly. We want to and will support this process.”

According to 50Hertz CEO Kapferer, considerable additional efforts are needed in order to achieve the 100 percent objective, not only within 50Hertz, but also at the political, economic and societal level. This includes the rapid deployment of suitable areas for offshore wind power, and their prompt inclusion in the area and grid development plans. Kapferer is also of the opinion that there is extra potential that has not yet been considered for the development of wind and solar power on land, both as regards the provision of areas and the production capacity of the installations. 50Hertz offers to bring its many years of experience in the often complex processes of public participation to the table.  

The initiative of 50Hertz reflects the new ambitions of Europe’s energy and climate policy: according to the European Green Deal of the EU Commission, Europe should be the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Elia Group, the majority shareholder of 50Hertz, supports this ambitious project.

Chris Peeters, CEO of Elia Group and chairperson of the 50Hertz Supervisory Board: “The energy transition is our number one priority. Together with our German partner KfW, we fully support the entire 50Hertz organisation to cover the electricity demand in their grid area with 100 percent renewable energy by 2032. It is fully in line with the Elia Group strategy and the ambitions of the European Green Deal. The objective emphasises the pioneering role that 50Hertz is playing in the integration of large quantities of renewable energy production in both the German and European energy system.”

KfW Banking Group, which owns 20 percent of the shares of 50Hertz’s parent company Eurogrid, also supports the new strategic approach. Dr. Lutz-Christian Funke, Secretary General of KfW Banking Group and member of the 50Hertz Supervisory Board, explains. “Worldwide challenges like global warming mark the social and political debate. They make it clear that there is an urgent need to advance the evolution towards a sustainable society. It is therefore important that 50Hertz has set itself the goal of covering 100 percent of the electricity demand in its grid area from renewable sources, thus making a specific contribution to the achievement of Germany’s climate goals.”