8th Infrastructure Forum Energieküste
Grid expansion is having an impact – sharp rise in demand energy and commercial real estate
Good news at the start of the 8th Infrastructure Forum Energieküste: ‘Grid expansion on the west coast is working. There are numerous applications for battery storage facilities, data centres and electrolysers,’ said Energy Transition State Secretary MEKUN Joschka Knuth in his keynote speech. Another positive development is that grid fees are falling. ‘Our plans for the Energieküste are continuing thanks to our success story. We are making the most of our location advantages.’
Around 200 guests from politics, industry and associations gathered at the NCC NordseeCongressCentrum in Husum on 13th November 2025. The aim was to discuss pressing issues such as the further development of energy infrastructure as the key to transformation. The forum took place in North Frisia for the first time. In his welcoming address, Florian Lorenzen, District Administrator of North Frisia, emphasised that the renewables have enormous potential to advance the Energieküste economically.
Berlin is called upon to act
Challenges remain in coordinating with federal policy. Joschka Knuth: ‘The Federal Republic's agenda does not match the current facts. The facts speak for themselves: renewable energies are the most economical sources of energy available today,’ said Knuth.
We need a clear commitment to the renewables for the German electricity market.
Energy demand will break records
Four expert presentations provided current overviews of land provision, the hydrogen core network, grid connections and grid connection issues from the perspective of municipal utilities. The Interior, Economics and Environment Ministries are working together to provide land and enable the establishment of sustainable industry and commerce near grid connection points. The example of data centres showed that energy demand will rise as much in the next five years as it has in the last 15 years combined.
Anke Alvermann-Schuler, Gasunie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, reported on the status of the hydrogen core network. ‘Old gas pipelines are being converted: small effort, big benefits.’ She argued that green hydrogen must be cheaper in order to quickly attract more users.
The energy transition works with:
1. Construction, 2. Grid connection,
3. Reserving capacity and commitment! The energy transition is a joint effort.
Renewables on the rise – high demand for grid connections
Michael Roth, Tennet TSO GmbH, reported a run on substations. ‘A quick solution for connections is now important.’ Patrick Gravert, VSHEW – Association of Schleswig-Holstein Energy and Water Management, Stadtwerke Elmshorn, presented his findings on grid connection requests, which are dominated by e-mobility.
At Schleswig-Holstein Netz, on the other hand, 27 GW of the total 66 GW of renewable energy requested is accounted for by battery storage, said Dr Malte Hinrichsen, HanseWerk AG. An increasing share of renewables in the grid – a total of 227 per cent in 2024 – and a projected 43 per cent reduction in grid fees for household customers between 2024 and 2026 are very positive signs.
We offer proven reliable grid operation with significantly fewer grid failures than the national average.
Themed discussion areas for participation
The Energieküste Infrastructure Forums invite doers to get involved. At the 8th conference, there were four themed discussion areas where participants could present their ideas, wishes and experiences. The speakers from the specialist input sessions and other experts were on hand as contact persons for discussions and exchanges. The results will be collected by MEKUN and reviewed for further planning.
Panel discussion: on the way to becoming a preferred region
The 10-point paper from the Federal Ministry of Economics was one of the hot topics debated in the panel discussion with Joschka Knuth. ‘What I'm still missing at the moment is that there are now really concrete measures that will ultimately help us to achieve climate neutrality,’ said Lisa Hebenstreit, Schleswig-Holstein Netz GmbH. Dr Matthias Hüppauff, Economic Development Agency North Frisia: ‘What certainly bothers us all is the ramp-up of gas reserve power plants. I suspect that no one in this room is particularly enthusiastic about that.’
The framework conditions and regulations at the federal level must follow suit.
The discussion then moved on to land use planning: ‘The spatial concept development on the Energieküste is very progressive and forward-looking,’ said Ute Ojowski from the Schleswig-Holstein Nature Conservation Foundation. And, of course, grid expansion, hydrogen and federal regulations were also discussed. Joschka Knuth summed up the round table: ‘We can see that we are able to bring the various interests together quite well and develop the technology and infrastructure.’
There is a clear course in the ministry towards a climate-neutral Schleswig-Holstein.
Participants in the panel discussion with Joschka Knuth:
• Lisa Hebenstreit, Schleswig-Holstein Netz GmbH
• Anke Alvermann-Schuler, Gasunie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
• Dr. Matthias Hüppauff, Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Nordfriesland mbH
• Ute Ojowski, Stiftung Naturschutz Schleswig-Holstein
• Landrat Florian Lorenzen, Kreis Nordfriesland
Video-Statements
Impressions
