Germany to face 8 GW electricity supply gap in 2020 - report

(SeeNews) – Nov 20, 2012 – A gap in electricity supply capacities of around 8 GW may emerge in Germany in 2020, daily Handelsblatt reported today citing a study of research and consultancy company Prognos.

This may thus put the targeted transition to renewable energy at risk.

According to Prognos' study, the electricity generation gap could increase to 19 GW by 2025 and to 27 GW in 2030. Germany's peak electricity consumption currently stands at around 80 GW.

The gap would arise due to the fact that old plants would reach the end of their life-cycle, while the construction of new power plants is burdened by the uncertain market conditions.

As existing power stations are currently not profitable, their possible early closure could even worsen the situation, the daily said, citing the study.

At the same time, the rapidly increasing proportion of renewable energy sources puts pressure on electricity prices.

Therefore, Prognos recommends nuclear power plants to be kept at standby so that they could serve as backup when an electricity gap emerges.

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