Berlin's wind is gusting.
In the heart of Germany, Schleswig-Holstein stands as a pioneer in renewable energy, producing more wind and solar power than it consumes. Tobias Goldschmidt, the Minister responsible for the energy transition in the region, has emphasized the role of wind energy in protecting the climate, making the region independent of authoritarian regimes, and contributing significantly to the local economy.
Stefan Rouenhoff, the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, aligns with Goldschmidt's view, highlighting wind energy's central role in the federal government's goal to create a secure and affordable energy system.
However, a change of course in the energy transition is being proposed by Federal Minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche (CDU). Reiche's plan includes phasing out subsidies and reducing costs to make supply security the top priority in energy policy. This shift has been met with criticism from the Greens, who are in power in the North. They describe Reiche as a 'location risk' for Schleswig-Holstein, as the dismantling of the energy transition could cause significant damage to the region's economic location.
The Greens also advocate for more planning security for the wind energy sector in Schleswig-Holstein, citing the lag in grid expansion as a potential hindrance to the transport of electricity to consumption centers in the south. Minister-President Daniel Günther (CDU) has reaffirmed the goal of converting Schleswig-Holstein's energy industry to renewable sources by 2040.
In contrast to Reiche, Goldschmidt has not expressed a desire to phase out subsidies. He has also not presented a ten-point plan for realigning energy policy, unlike Reiche. Instead, Goldschmidt has emphasized the region's role as an engine and pioneer for the nationwide transformation, calling for a reliable and confident energy policy.
The minister-president and Goldschmidt have not criticized the energy transition plans, but the Greens have been vocal in their opposition. Lasse Petersdotter, parliamentary leader of the Greens, has stated that the dismantling of the energy transition by the Merz government would cause significant damage to Schleswig-Holstein's economic location.
As the energy transition continues to evolve, the debate between cost reduction and sustainability, subsidies and independence, and planning security and rapid implementation remains a pressing concern in Schleswig-Holstein. The future of the region's renewable energy sector hangs in the balance.
