ESSEN (dpa-AFX) - The energy group RWE is pressing for quick decisions on the unresolved issues of its power plant strategy. "So far we only know the key points. Coordination with Brussels is still pending. The concrete form is still open. Time is now really pressing," said RWE CEO Markus Krebber at the annual press conference in Essen on Thursday. Germany has a Herculean task ahead of it to maintain security of supply. "We have to completely replace our current backbone of supply security - nuclear energy and coal."

The key points presented by the German government in February were clearly heading in the right direction, Krebber emphasized. The tenders for ten gigawatts of hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants planned in the short term are a start, he said. "The first tenders must take place this year at the latest so that the power plants can start operating before the end of this decade," Krebber continued. It is important to ensure that auction winners actually build. "As we need the capacity quickly, it must be ensured that it is actually built and not just seen as an option to be able to build."

Krebber confirmed the company's intention to participate in the tenders. He said that RWE wanted to build at least three gigawatts by the end of the decade and could imagine building even more. "Whether we can achieve the three gigawatts by the end of the decade will of course depend on when the tenders take place and how quickly the planning and approval processes can be accelerated." At the moment, he assumes that it is still feasible. RWE could also imagine more in the next 30 years. "We are also working on developments at sites not only in North Rhine-Westphalia, but also outside of it, to prepare more," Krebber continued.

The German government presented the key points of a strategy for the construction of hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants in Germany at the beginning of February. The power plants are to generate electricity in a climate-neutral energy system when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing. In addition to the tenders, the German government wants to develop concepts for a so-called capacity mechanism. A political agreement on this is to be reached within the federal government by the summer. Such a mechanism could be used to reward operators for keeping power plant capacities available.

Krebber welcomed the announced introduction of a capacity mechanism. "We know from other countries how well this instrument is suited to guaranteeing security of supply at reasonable prices," he said./tob/DP/men