German government presents plans for new gas power stations

Germany's Economy Ministry published plans on Wednesday on the construction and modernization of gas-fired power stations intended to back up electricity generation by renewables.

The power stations are also to be designed in such a way that they will be able to use hydrogen.

"We are in this way making the electricity system fit for large proportions of renewable forms of energy and in addition providing security for periods of low wind and sunshine," Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

Experts, associations and businesses will be able to respond to the proposals in a consultation process that will run for six weeks.

An initial phase will see power station output of 12.5 gigawatts put out to tender, along with 500 megawatts in long-term electricity storage capacity.

The gas-fired power stations are to be capable of conversion at a later stage to hydrogen. Power stations fired purely by hydrogen are also to be promoted.