Schleswig-Holstien

Sector: Regional Government

Carbon Footprint:

> 23,500,000 metric tonnes CO₂e (2001)

TARGETS

> Reduce CO₂ emissions 15% by 2010, on 1990 levels
> Increase share of renewable energies in end energy consumption 25% by 2010, on 1990 levels
> Increase share of electricity from renewables in electricity consumption 50% by 2010, on 1990 levels (under evaluation by new government elected in 2005)
> Increase share of electricity from combined heat and power (CHP) in electricity consumption 30% by 2010, on 1990 levels

Achievements

> Reduced CO₂ emissions 10% by 2000, on 1990 levels
> Reduced greenhouse gas emissions 13% on 1990 levels by 2000
> Increased share of renewables in end energy consumption 7% by 2000 on 1990 levels (excluding transport sector)
> Increased share of renewables at electricity consumption 30% by 2004 on 1990 levels
> Increased share of electricity from CHP in electricity consumption 16% on 1990 levels by 2001.
>Schleswig Holstein sources more than 1,800MW of its power from wind

Benefits

> In 2004, Schleswig-Holstein’s wind energy sector generated income from Renewable Energy Feed-In-Law around €350 million
> The wind energy sector in Schleswig Holstein employs an estimated 5,000 people

Low Carbon Solutions

Background

Schleswig-Holstein is the Northernmost Bundesland (State) in Germany, with coastlines on both the North and Baltic seas.

Schleswig-Holstein’s coastal location places it at direct threat from climate change as sea levels rise. The costs associated with coastal protection are high; in the last 10 years alone around €50 million has been spent. These factors, coupled with Schleswig-Holstein’s open-minded, progressive government to date, have been the sources of motivation for the State to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Links to the environmentally-focused Scandinavian community have also been beneficial to Schleswig-Holstein and have allowed environmental policy to have a higher standing there than it does in other parts of Germany.

Through support of the national feed-in-law for electricity from renewables and by working in close partnership, the energy and environment departments of Schleswig-Holstein’s government increased the share of renewables in electricity consumption to 31% by 2004 on 1990 levels. This is made up of 30% wind energy and 1% biomass and solar photovoltaics (PV). The rest of the State’s energy make-up is primarily nuclear, with three small-scale coal plants powering its cities.

Schleswig-Holstein’s location is well suited for large scale wind energy generation. It is a coastal region with very good wind conditions; the West coast is sparsely populated and there is little industry, so there was the opportunity to build several wind parks where the wind is most favourable.

Whilst some initial plans in wind energy development were confronted by opposition, the Landesplanung (the department responsible for land planning) has ensured that only 1% of the State will be covered by wind energy parks, leaving 99% of the area turbine-free. Furthermore, in the area where the wind parks are built, a system has been initiated, which ensures that local citizens are able to invest in their operation, and can benefit from wind farm profits. One of the main successes achieved in the early 1990s was a high level local acceptance of wind energy use. Owners of the parks were not anonymous large firms, but the local people of the West coast, an area which had a weak infrastructure and poor economy.

Schleswig-Holstein’s wind industry is now fundamentally important to its economy; it employs an estimated 5,000 people, a figure likely to double by 2010, and is increasingly one of the region’s most important exports. The energy generated in Schleswig-Holstein is placed into a larger grid along with that of the other States as part of the Federal renewable energy feed-in law.

Whilst solar, PV and biomass have thus far only contributed 1% to Schleswig-Holstein’s renewable portfolio, innovative programmes are in place to develop these capacities. In 2001, Schleswig-Holstein was the first State in Germany to have its biomass programme co-financed by the European Union as part of its agricultural subsidies.

Schleswig-Holstein aims to continue building its renewables market with concentration placed on increasing offshore wind capacity and replacing old wind parks with newer, larger and more efficient parks. Increasing the share of biomass and PV in its renewables portfolio and the facilities for combined heat and power generation are also a priority.

Schleswig-Holstein introduced its climate protection programme in 1995 which was established to strongly complement Federal government policies. The State’s priority focus areas in mitigating climate change are; support of wind, biomass and solar energy, green architecture and sustainable building, public awareness, information dissemination and networking, support for public transport and climate protection.

Schleswig-Holstein’s greenhouse gas emissions (measured in CO₂ equivalents) fell by 13% between 1990 and 2000. CO₂ emissions were reduced by 10%; methane emissions were reduced by 36%, largely through a reduction in the emissions stemming from animal farming, and through capture of methane from waste - which in some cases is used for electricity production.

However, the most ambitious and fundamental action Schleswig-Holstein has taken to reduce its climate impact has been its commitment to renewable energy generation.

Schleswig-Holstein has pioneered energy efficiency standards in new buildings, and implemented an Energy Saving Decree, 2 years before it was introduced on the Federal level in 2003. This decree requires a minimum standard of energy efficiency in order to receive grants for construction of new housing.

Schleswig-Holstein’s environment ministry has also made large strides in greening its industrial development policy. Financed by the European Regional Development Fund, Community Funds and additional state budget, Schleswig-Holstein is planning to construct sustainable industrial estates. Sustainability criteria for industry parks include; reduction of ground sealing, connection to a local heating network, use of renewable sources, low energy consumption and connection to local public transport routes. Financial support is given in recognition of the sustainable aspects of the buildings, and the State’s ‘Innovation Foundation’ supports projects which promote technological progress and climate protection.

Schleswig-Holstein’s coastal location places it at direct threat from climate change as sea levels rise

Schleswig Holstein sources more than 1,800MW of its power from wind

Schleswig Holstein aims to increase share of electricity from renewables in electricity consumption 50% by 2010, on 1990 levels