New study by Energy Watch Group

A new study by the Energy Watch Group (EWG) shows how the Berlin-Brandenburg region can implement a transition to 100% renewable energy at competitive costs. The study shows how a complete transition to 100% renewables in the region can be achieved within less than ten years. This includes complete coverage of demand in all sectors, even during dark winter periods. Thus, the study calculates the concrete expansion requirements for generation, conversion and energy transport capacities for green electricity and green hydrogen. 

"An integrated energy system for the two states could immediately save costs and achieve a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in the region. There is no economic argument to further delay the energy transition in Brandenburg and Berlin," says Dr. Thure Traber, EWG's chief economist and lead author of the study. 

More cost-effective full supply 

In their coalition agreements, the state governments of Berlin and Brandenburg commit to Berlin's goal of climate neutrality in line with the 1.5-degree limit. The aim is to achieve climate neutrality in the respective states more quickly than required by law. With this study the Energy Watch Group provides the necessary scientific roadmap for this endeavor. 

"In doing so, the energy system outlined by the EWG not only makes it possible to reduce energy-related emissions to zero, which is necessary to comply with the 1.5-degree limit, but also to reduce energy costs from the current level of around 90 euros to 75 euros per megawatt hour," says Hans-Josef Fell, president of the Energy Watch Group and co-author of the study. 

Specific expansion targets for 2030 

The EWG energy scenario prescribes the following expansion targets for power generation to fully meet climate change-economic demand: 

• Wind power: expansion from today's 9 GW to 12 GW in Brandenburg
• Photovoltaics: expansion from today's 0.1 GW to 11.9 GW in Berlin and from 1.1 GW to 27 GW in Brandenburg (equivalent to 0.5 % of the state's surface area) 
• Geothermal energy: expansion of 0.7 GW 
• Bioenergy: expansion of up to 3.3 GW 

Download the executive summary and the full study here: 
https://www.energywatchgroup.org/100-erneuerbare-energien-fur-berlin-brandenburg/