On the occasion of the 100th day of the new government, the Saar Greens criticize the lack of progress in the urgently needed energy transition. The climate protection plan announced in their government declaration has not yet been presented by Ms. Rehlinger.
We have experienced a summer with record temperatures, droughts, and significant economic damage. In parts of Europe, heat and fires are claiming human lives.
“Among the German federal states, Saarland still ranks last in the use of renewable energies,” complains Uta Sullenberger, state chairwoman of the Green Party Saar.
The modest targets set in the government statement for the year 2030 (40% renewables in electricity) will cement these conditions, as the federal government aims to increase the share to 80% in the same period. And even the 40 – 50% target will hardly be achievable if the state government does not make significant improvements.
The recently promoted hydrogen strategy will also not be sufficient to make up for what has been missed.
"Unfortunately, Minister President Rehlinger has not yet managed to create a government program. Although she emphasizes the importance of the energy transition, nothing corresponding has been initiated so far," said Dr. Ralph Nonninger, state chairman of the Saar Greens.
Maintaining the ban on building wind turbines on 79% of the state forest area, while such areas are simultaneously available for the establishment of logistics companies, is reminiscent of the practices of the previous state government.
What is urgently needed, on the one hand, is the designation of additional areas realistically usable for wind energy. Unfortunately, the municipalities are not sufficiently supported by the government, neither technically nor in terms of planning procedures. Therefore, additional instruments for land management and citizen participation are needed at the state level. Due to the changed federal laws, further areas could be considered.
In addition, a coordinated approach is needed in the area of photovoltaic expansion on public buildings. The renovation of buildings in the public sector must also be carried out more quickly and professionally according to sustainability criteria.
The few concrete projects from the government statement, such as the promotion of electricity storage systems when using PV installations or the allocation of 2% of the state area for wind energy, have not yet been tackled, although time is running out.
There is a shortage of energy for the winter - savings concepts that go beyond a temperature reduction in state buildings announced by Minister Jost and that would need to be communicated to the public.
“Overall, we expect significantly more effort from the Saarland Minister of Energy to compensate for the dependence on gas in the short term and to seriously tackle the energy transition in Saarland in the medium term!”, said Nonninger.
