Hesse's path to more wind and solar energy: Laws in focus!

Hesse's path to more wind and solar energy: Laws in focus!

On June 4, 2025, the Committee for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas of the Hessian State Parliament met. The agenda included several bills introduced by various political groups. This includes, among other things, the Fourth Law to amend the Hessian Road Act, also known as the Hessian Cycle Path Construction Acceleration Act, which was submitted by the Free Democrats parliamentary group. Other relevant points are the law on the participation of communities in the use of wind energy and photovoltaics in Hesse, in the form of the Hessian Photovoltaic and Wind Energy Participation Act (HPWEBG), also from BÜNDNIS 90/THE GREENS, as well as a bill to amend the Hessian Procurement and Tariff Compliance Act, which was dealt with as part of the Second Bureaucracy Reduction Act.

In addition, motions on climate protection-related topics were on the agenda, including a motion for a resolution from the CDU and SPD dedicated to climate protection. Urgent motions from the AfD addressed the costs of climate protection and climate neutrality as well as the planned closure of the Bayer Crop Science site in Frankfurt-Höchst. Further reports and applications dealt with the transport infrastructure in Hesse and the financing of new rail transport.

Promoting renewable energies

In the context of these bills and proposals, there is a growing focus on the generation of energy from renewable sources. According to Directive (EU) 2023/2413, which came into force on November 20, 2023, member states are supposed to implement measures to increase renewable energy. The goal is for at least 42.5 percent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2030. This aspect becomes particularly relevant due to the draft laws discussed at the meeting of the Hessian committee.

The EU directive also includes the introduction of acceleration areas for renewable energy projects, in which the approval procedures are to be simplified and accelerated. The member states must implement the directive by May 21, 2025 at the latest and bring partial regulations regarding the approval procedures into force by July 1, 2024. According to current legislation, a massive effort to expand renewable energy is required to achieve the goal of at least 80 percent of electricity supply coming from renewable sources by 2030.

The states and associations participated in the draft law in April 2024, and the statements were published on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. The revised draft law was passed by the Federal Cabinet on July 24, 2024.

Overall, the meeting of the Committee on Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas reflects the current challenges and efforts to advance environmentally friendly energy production while meeting the requirements for transport infrastructure and climate protection. The political discourse in Hesse is inextricably linked to the EU's overarching goals, which include the energy transition and the promotion of renewable energies.