BERLIN, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Germany's Federal Network Agency on Wednesday warned that rare electricity shortfalls could occur as early as 2030 if the country's energy transition stalls, though supply is otherwise expected to remain secure through 2035.
The Security of Supply Report, approved by the federal cabinet on Wednesday, highlights the risks should renewable expansion slow, new gas-fired power plants fail to materialize, and electricity demand not become sufficiently flexible.
The report stresses the importance of controllable generation capacity, flexible power consumption from new users such as electric vehicles and continued grid expansion.
In a downside scenario, delays in the rollout of renewables, grid expansion and demand flexibility could push the need for new gas capacity to as much as 36 gigawatts.
While this could trigger rare supply shortfalls around 2030, such cases would be covered by reserves, ruling out blackouts or forced shutdowns.
The findings come as Berlin negotiates with the European Commission on tenders for up to 20 gigawatts of gas power plants, with a first auction expected by year-end and ahead of a highly-anticipated government review of energy demand and transition plans.
Reporting by Riham Alkousaa, Editing by Rachel More
Source: Reuters