Attending a meeting of the Bavarian Cabinet in the lakeside resort of Gmund am Tegernsee, Reiche said “two-thirds” of the new capacity would be built in southern Germany as part of a “southern bonus.”
Bavaria will be prioritized in “the tender for the first 20 gigawatts that we have planned in Germany,” she added.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative-led administration, which took office last month, is promising to bring down electricity prices for energy-intensive industries by constructing new gas-run plants.
The Cabinet is expected to decide on the first measures to relieve businesses by the summer, with a reduction of levies on electricity, grid charges and gas storage.
Reiche said high energy costs are leading companies to make new investments in countries where prices are more favourable.
“Security of supply, climate protection and affordability must come together again in a balanced triangle,” said the minister.
Reiche said consultations with the European Commission over the plans are already under way.
