Potential and limits of using renewable energies efficiently in the deregulated electricity market

Both in society and at all political levels (European Union, federal governments, state governments, municipalities, political parties), there is a consensus that the share of renewable energies in power generation and primary energy consumption should be increased significantly. Type and scope of increased subsidization of renewable energies will therefore remain central issues on the energy-policy agenda. The deregulation of the European electricity market is aimed at reducing electricity prices to improve the competitiveness of European industry. At the same time, the share accounted for by renewable energies in the supply of primary energy is to be doubled in the next few years. Electricity generated from hydropower, wind, biomass and solar energy, however, is more expensive than electricity generated from conventional fuels. This results in a dilemma which needs to be resolved. Different model approaches for the integration and financing of renewable energies in a market environment are currently th e subject of controversial discussions all over Europe. No consensus has yet been reached for a solution. Nature and scope of an increased expansion of renewable energies will therefore remain key subjects of energy policy. The European Commission will adopt a directive on the use of renewable energies in the European common market. It will have a major impact on the way in which the expansion will be carried out. As competition continues to heighten, today's electricity market will develop into a demand-driven buyers' market in which the electricity suppliers will have to operate flexibly with a focus on customers. Against this backdrop, competition and the economically efficient use of renewable energies are not necessarily in conflict. It very much depends on the extent to which the potential of prospective interested customers can be developed. Both developments create fresh opportunities for the economically efficient operation of power plants on the basis of renewable energies. The power plant operators should seize these opportunities and play an active role both in the political discussion and for the expansion of electricity generation from renewable energies.