Energy transition in Baden-Württemberg

Expansion of renewable energies

Open space photovoltaic system with a power pole and wind turbines in the background and sunflowers

For the switch to renewable energies, there is no alternative for a nuclear power phase-out. By 2020, renewable energies should cover 25 % of the final energy demand; fuels 16 %, heat 21 %, and electricity 36 %. By 2050, a total of 80 % of electricity, heat and fuels are supposed to come from renewable sources.

Wind Power

Wind energy represents a key technology for Baden-Württemberg. This cost-effective technology for power generation has the largest growth potential next to photovoltaics. By the year 2020, at least 10 % of the electricity generation in Baden-Württemberg is supposed to be met by wind turbines, and around 25 % by 2050. This is supposed to be be achieved by a heavy addition of new plant constructions and by the re-powering of existing plants.

Solar energy: Photovoltaics and solar thermal energy

The sun is our largest, inexhaustible source of energy. Installed systems provide electricity and heat for free. Solar energy is already widely in use In Baden-Württemberg, and should continue to expand.

For instance, its share of the gross power generation is supposed to grow to 12 % by 2020. For this purpose, an installed capacity of 8,800 MW is required in the state. By 2050, the capacity can rise to around 17,000 MW and provide 25 % of the expected current consumption.

In addition, the state government intends to significantly increase the share of solar thermal energy for heat generation: By 2020, its contribution is supposed to approximately triple. Then by 2050, about 30 % of the heat demand still required is supposed to be covered by solar energy.  

Biomass in Baden-Württemberg

Biomass is the most versatile renewable energy source in Germany. Based on the total final energy (electricity, heat, fuel) from renewable sources, the use of biomass as energy makes up a share of around 70 %. Currently, bioenergy covers about 8 % of final energy consumption in Baden-Württemberg. But since it is only available in limited quantities, its relative share will decline in the medium and long run. By 2020, 8 % of the electricity and 16.5 % of the heat is supposed to be generated by biomass.

Hydropower

The use of hydropower is one of the traditional applications of renewable energy. Precisely for this reason, superior and suitable locations in Baden-Württemberg have been in use for a long time. The potential for expansion consists primarily of modernizing existing facilities and improving their technical performance. However, the increase in the share of hydropower in electricity generation is only limited. By 2050, it is supposed to be about 10 %.

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