Bernd Wilmert

CEO of Stadtwerke Bochum GmbH

“As a local energy supply company we have a particular responsibility to prioritise environmental arguments in the production of energy”

When did you first get involved with renewable energies? Was there a particular trigger or inspiration?

We at the Stadtwerken Bochum have been investigating the potential of renewable energies for a long time already. The initial considerations were of a more theoretical-scientific nature, and these began to take on an increasingly concrete form after the year 2000. Our first result came with the start of operations at a biomass power station in Papenburg in the year 2003. Our company philosophy is both the motive and the driving force behind our commitment. As a local energy supply company we have a particular responsibility to prioritise environmental arguments in the production of energy. We take this responsibility very seriously.

What motivates you?

Possibilities in the renewables sector have changed significantly in recent years. Modern technology is scarcely comparable with what was available to us 10 years ago, and the profitability of plants has increased. Nevertheless, renewables still have a long way to go before they can largely or perhaps wholly substitute conventional energies. We owe it to future generations and of course the environment, to do everything within our power to promote renewable energies. It’s very pleasing to see that political actors on a German, European and increasingly also on a global level have recognised the serious need for action in this regard.

Where do you see renewable energies in the year 2020?

I think that the goals set by the government for the share of renewable energies in the year 2020 are ambitious, but attainable. I hope the next few years will bring further technological improvements as far as plants are concerned, but speaking from experience this is very difficult to forecast, as the development of innovations is very difficult to control. It will be of particular significance if a binding agreement can be reached over ambitious goals for the share of renewables beyond Germany and the EU, especially in nations with very high levels of absolute energy consumption.

What still needs to be done to achieve this?

It’s important and right that Germany adopts a pioneering role in the development of renewables. This doesn’t have to be the result of pure altruism, but because it proves itself to be sensible from an economic and business point of view, because we are working on technological advances in important future markets. From the point of view of the energy industry, it is of particular significance that the state creates reliable frameworks, because our investment plans are generally put in place over very long time periods.  Most renewable energies still need financial support if they are to be a competitive market option. This support must remain in place for a long as it takes until the renewables are sufficiently developed. There must be a clear goal to attain a development stage for renewables in the medium and long term that will make it possible for plants to operate competitively without the need for subsidies. This is not an easy route, but it must be navigated by politics and industry together. The second step, which is particularly significant, is to reach binding agreements on development goals for renewables beyond the EU’s borders. It may sound like a straightforward demand, but the recent conference on Bali showed just what difficulties are associated with it. But again, this a path that we must navigate together, because there are no alternative solutions.

When the day’s work is done, how do you like to relax and switch off?

When I’m not at work I devote my time primarily to my family. I spend most of my free time with them. Alongside sporting activities, we enjoy sampling some of the huge variety of cultural events taking place in the Ruhr conurbation.

Expertise: Offshore wind, photovoltaics, geothermal energy, hydropower, biomass, financing and project development, political frameworks / EEG, communal use of renewable energies

Press enquries: Thomas Schönberg, +49.234.9601300, thomas.schoenberg@stadtwerke-bochum.de