Wind power is often not well accepted.
(Photo: Christian Mang / imagedeluxe.net)
Dusseldorf Sometimes the impression is created that it is primarily a question of the right attitude and good will whether the energy transition will succeed or not. That is a mistake. However, this error also seems to be the basis of political decisions, for example when setting the expansion targets for renewables.
It is by no means as if the expansion would follow the goals almost automatically. Many hurdles standing in the way of expansion reinforce each other. Some are easy to fix, some are not.
The problems begin with acceptance and range from the lack of skilled workers, torn supply chains and heavy dependence on individual suppliers, to a lack of staff in the authorities, contradictory court decisions, rising prices, to the availability of land, to considerations of species protection and monument protection. In the worst case, all factors come together.
Unfortunately, the hurdles cannot be removed by law, at least not all of them. And even where the legislature thinks it can take action, EU directives or the Basic Law set limits.
One must not ignore the protection of species, even if the expansion of renewables is supposed to happen very quickly. And you can’t force anyone to become an administrative employee in order to clear the mountains of applications for wind farms or photovoltaic systems.
You can’t force anyone to become an administrative employee in order to clear the mountains of applications for wind farms or photovoltaic systems.
It also follows from this that one cannot prescribe the achievement of the expansion targets. It is – unfortunately – the case that the very ambitious goals will be difficult to achieve.
For this reason, all assumptions with regard to such factors as security of supply and price developments, which are based on the achievement of the goals, must be called into question.
A high level of ambition when expanding renewables is correct. On the other hand, it is irresponsible to constantly raise false expectations.
More: New obstacles are opening up for wind turbines