OpenLobby.EU
Explore

BayWa Aktiengesellschaft

BayWa is a globally active group with the core segments of Energy, Agriculture and Building Materials, as well as the development segment Innovation & Digitalisation.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Recommendation to promote the development of innovative forms of solar energy deployment

29 Mar 2024

BayWa r.e. welcomes the Commission's commitment to the development of renewable energies and in particular the European Solar Strategy. Solar energy is a key element on the way to climate neutrality. Solar energy has been growing steadily for several months and will grow even faster in the coming years. Innovative solar energy technologies, designs and concepts are indispensable if we are to address the issue of cash management and its various uses. BayWa r.e. is one of the world's leading developers, service providers, distributors and solutions providers and has brought more than 5.5 GW of renewable energy online and manages more than 10 GW of assets. BayWa r.e. is a leader in floating PV with almost 300 MWp built, mainly in Europe. Floating solar systems make it possible to profit from unused bodies of water, such as coal quarries, mineral extraction pits, hydroelectric dams or drinking water reservoirs. The construction of these projects has been made possible by favourable regulatory conditions and economic support in some countries, notably the Netherlands. However, much more can be done to accelerate the development of this technology, which enables the dual use of water surfaces and offers a sustainable solution. We fully support the recommendations of the SolarPower Europe Association in this call for evidence to enable this innovative solar market to take off. More can be done at EU level to promote the best practices applied in a few Member States for floating wind and the European Commission should provide guidance to Member States to better understand the potential of this application of solar technologies and its sustainable characteristics. BayWa r.e is also a major player in Agri-PV with almost 160 MWp of Agri-PV across Europe. BayWa r.e. promotes Agri-PV as a multifunctional land use configuration on the same agricultural land, where solar powe r generation is integrated into an agricultural activity, thereby exploiting techno-ecological synergies and increasing land use efficiency. BayWa is willing to share its experience in this regard, both in floating PV and in Agri-PV. Please find attached our recommendations for accelerating and unlocking the potential of Agri-PV in Europe.
Read full response

Response to Guidance to facilitate the designation of renewables acceleration areas

23 Feb 2024

BayWa r.e. welcomes the opportunity given to stakeholders to express their views on the deployment of renewable energy acceleration areas following the adoption of the Renewable Energy Directive at the end of 2023. A critical aspect to address is the harmonization of the legislative framework and the coordination among authorities involved in the permitting process to eliminate bottlenecks. This should include mechanisms for dialogue and consultation between project developers and all relevant authorities, ensuring that legislative and regulatory frameworks are adaptable, transparent, and supportive of the goal to accelerate renewable energy deployment. Establishing a more collaborative approach between the government, regulatory bodies, and the private sector is essential to overcoming administrative hurdles and ensuring that projects can proceed without unnecessary delays, while still maintaining high standards of environmental protection and community engagement. While the Directive suggests an exemption from dedicated environmental impact assessments within RAAs, it is vital that this does not compromise the thoroughness of environmental protection. Romania has valuable natural habitats and biodiversity that must be preserved. A streamlined, yet robust, environmental assessment framework should be developed, ensuring that renewable energy projects are sustainable and do not harm ecological balances. Document attached
Read full response

Response to Amendment of the free allocation rules in response to the ETS revision/Fit For 55

19 Dec 2023

As a producer of renewable hydrogen, BayWa r.e very much welcomes this regulation on free allowances, which will complete the newly adopted regulatory framework for renewable hydrogen, which is an essential part of the EU Climate law, on the way to climate neutrality. This draft delegated regulation gives practical applicability to the hydrogen-related provisions of the newly adopted ETS Directive. The inclusion of hydrogen in the ETS Directive and eligibility for free allowances were already very positive for renewable hydrogen production but lacked concrete application rules. The allocation of free certificates is essential to kickstart renewable hydrogen production projects, at least over the next decade, given the still high production costs of renewable hydrogen. Free ETS allocations will give a boost to this production with the sale of these allowances on the market - while avoiding the difficulties associated with national support systems. This will help, among other instruments, to reduce the gap between the production price of fossil-bas hydrogen and renewable hydrogen. With the current rules, electricity which is produced with renewable sources zero direct emissions- is not recognized for its full value and its power to decarbonize the economy. The removal of the exchangeability factor of fuel and electricity in this draft delegated regulation, recognizes the full value of non-fossil produced electricity and provides a level playing field between grey hydrogen production and renewable hydrogen with no direct emissions. With the proposed rules, renewable hydrogen producers will receive allowances commensurate with their actual production. This rule rewards real contribution to the decarbonization of processes. In addition, the draft provides that new renewable hydrogen producers receive these free allowances as of 2024 as renewable hydrogen will be included in the benchmark, which will include both fossil-based and renewable-based hydrogen production. We therefore support the swift adoption of this delegated regulation early 2024 as proposed by the European Commission.
Read full response

Meeting with Kadri Simson (Commissioner) and

7 Mar 2023 · Exchange on the needed regulatory support to promote the deployment and manufacturing of the solar power in the EU and the EU’s support for the solar energy so far.

Meeting with Pascal Arimont (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Oct 2022 · Company visit - Presentation of "Fit 4 55"-package