2020-06-30 12:30:00
MORE GAS FOR GERMANY
PLATTS - 29 Jun 2020 - A German gas industry alliance has published a position paper calling for more support for natural gas, underlining its potential contribution to the economic recovery without compromising climate targets.
The informal alliance of 15 companies includes Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, Equinor, Uniper, Thuega, VNG, Wintershall Dea as well as gas grid operators.
"Natural gas can make a vital contribution to economic recovery in Germany and Europe – without compromising climate protection targets," Wintershall Dea board member Thilo Wieland said June 29.
The switch from coal to gas in the power sector had reduced CO2 emissions by six million metric tonnes in 2019 with the trend accelerating this year.
Legislators needed to improve investment conditions for gas plant for the fuel to unleash its full potential, the report, published by Wintershall Dea, said.
German utility lobby BDEW earlier this month called for an increased target for combined heat and power generation, with the country's coal exit law focused on closure compensation for municipally-owned hard coal-fired CHP units or a switch to gas.
The gas coalition report meanwhile welcomed Germany's national hydrogen strategy published June 10 as an important step in the right direction.
Wintershall Dea called for a technology-neutral approach promoting the use of decarbonised hydrogen from natural gas (blue hydrogen) alongside renewable hydrogen (green hydrogen).
"Thanks to its significant price and volume advantages, [blue hydrogen] can make up for shortfalls in renewables capacities and accelerate the much-needed development and growth of the hydrogen market," it said.
The government's strategy is focused on a proposed Eur7 billion of support for 5 GW of electrolysis capacity for green hydrogen production.
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Earlier:
2020, June, 29, 14:00:00
GERMANY'S WIND INVESTMENT €15 BLN
Amprion (Germany) intends to invest €15.2bn by 2028, compared with €5.2bn in 2009-2019.
2020, June, 16, 13:50:00
GERMANY'S ENERGY CLIMATE PLAN
Germany intends to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990, to cut primary energy consumption by 30% by 2030 compared to 2008 and to increase the share of renewables in gross final energy consumption to 30% by 2030.
2020, June, 15, 13:40:00
GERMANY'S ECONOMY WILL FALL FASTER
Europe’s largest economy went into lockdown in March, with many firms halting production and shops closing. It is now facing its worst recession since World War Two after the economy contracted by 2.2% in the first quarter.
2020, June, 15, 13:10:00
GERMANY'S HYDROGEN STRATEGY
The German government formally adopted its long-anticipated national hydrogen strategy
