Overview
- Germany’s draft Netzpaket would scrap the 25‑year Anschlussvorrang for renewables, let grid operators gate and prioritize connections, allow construction‑cost contributions from developers, and introduce a Redispatch‑Vorbehalt that can withhold curtailment compensation for wind and solar for up to ten years while conventional plants keep compensation rights.
- Renewables groups and project developers warn the plan raises investor risk and could slow or regionalize build‑out, whereas transmission operator 50Hertz and other grid companies back tighter prioritization; the utility lobby BDEW seeks changes, especially on the redispatch provision.
- The proposal is a Referentenentwurf entering a formal association consultation before any cabinet review and Bundestag/Bundesrat votes, leaving scope for amendments.
- Technical pressure underpins the move, with the regulator reporting 3.5% of renewable generation curtailed in 2024 at a cost of €554 million and DIW warning Germany’s current expansion pace makes meeting 2030 targets uncertain.
- France’s newly published plan trims 2030 goals to about 48 GW solar and 31 GW onshore wind and commits to six new EPR2 reactors with an option for eight more, targeting 380–420 TWh of nuclear output by 2030 as EDF pegs the initial six at roughly €73 billion and eyes first new operation at Penly in 2038 with a final investment decision expected by late 2026 subject to EU approval.