The German Renewable Energy Association (BEE) has unveiled a detailed plan to reduce bureaucratic obstacles and speed up the country’s transition to renewable energy. The initiative aligns with the modernization agenda approved by the Federal Cabinet on 1 October 2025, emphasizing a more efficient and transparent state.
Bureaucracy as a Bottleneck
Lengthy approval processes continue to slow down wind, solar, hydro, bioenergy, and hydrogen projects. According to BEE, these delays not only increase system costs but also strain administrative capacities. Ursula Heinen-Esser, President of BEE, said, “Reducing bureaucracy is essential for the success of Germany’s energy transition. Projects stuck in approval limbo waste valuable potential and hinder the integration of renewables into the grid.”
In wind energy, around 8.7 GW of planned projects are currently stalled, while repowering offers an additional 45 GW over the next three years. BEE recommends simplifying species protection assessments, standardizing planning procedures, and removing restrictive regional rules.
For solar and thermal energy, the association calls for accelerated approvals for photovoltaic and solar thermal installations, along with legal privileges for battery storage, agrivoltaic projects, and solar systems for district heating. Fiscal and bureaucratic barriers, such as property and inheritance taxes affecting site allocation, should also be addressed.
Hydropower projects, especially smaller ones, could see performance increases up to 200% through modernization and digitalization. BEE advocates integrating the public interest in renewable energy into water law to streamline approvals.
Bioenergy projects, including biogas clusters and satellite combined heat and power units, should be legally recognized as serving the overriding public interest, supporting investment and operational flexibility. Hydrogen production and storage projects, including biogenic hydrogen, also require legal recognition as privileged developments to ensure practical feasibility.
Geothermal projects need clearer planning priorities and shorter decision timelines to accelerate the thermal energy transition. The expansion of electricity and gas networks is equally critical. BEE calls for digital applications, clear deadlines, and transparent information on network capacity, as well as rights-of-way for developers to connect renewable installations to the grid efficiently.
Legal Harmonization as Key
BEE stresses the importance of harmonizing multiple legal frameworks, including the Federal Immission Control Act, Federal Nature Conservation Act, Water Resources Act, and Geothermal Acceleration Act. Standardized procedures, digitalization, and clear responsibilities can reduce delays, lower system costs, and strengthen public trust in administrative processes.
Targeted regulatory reforms can remove bottlenecks, accelerate investment, and strengthen Germany’s energy transition. By aligning political goals, legal certainty, and pragmatic administration, the proposed measures aim to create a modern, resilient, and competitive energy system. BEE will continue to provide expertise to ensure the modernization agenda achieves its full potential.
