vgbe | Congress 2023

Following the awards and honours, the topic of security of supply was discussed. The focus was on issues such as the importance of security of supply for industry and society, the role and status of the power plant strategy, the status of the accelerated expansion of renewable energies and grids, the status of further energy infrastructure, e.g., for H2 grids, LNG terminals, storage facilities, as well as the necessary retention of knowledge and the associated shortage of skilled staff. The conclusion to be drawn from this discussion is that, on the one hand, the first positive developments can be seen, e.g., in the acceleration of approval procedures or regulatory design. On the other hand, however, there are still considerable design issues that need to be addressed quickly by policymakers in order to even begin to achieve the ambitious goals. In this respect, the industry (companies and associations) has concrete proposals from practice on the table, which should be taken up by the government. The first day of the event continued with the key note speech by Professor Dr Mojib Latif on the topic of “Climate Change – Apocalypse or Hope?” Professor Latif impressively described the ways in which climate change has already manifested itself and the grave consequences that would result for humanity if decisive changes were not made and decarbonisation implemented in large steps. A massive expansion of renewable energies, a technology-open use of all avoidance technologies including nuclear energy and CCUS and the development of adaptation strategies for the irreversible part of climate change are for him the decisive pillars of this transformation. In his view, we hold the options for a hopeful approach to this greatest of all challenges (but not the only one) in our hands and should not forget: Climate protection must be fun if everyone is to join in.