ICH HAB SO DIE SCHNAUZE VOLL! Warum Speicher bald keine Chance mehr haben!

Overview

The video argues that Germany’s planned capacity market—intended to ensure reliable electricity when wind and solar are scarce—is being designed in a way that will disproportionately benefit gas-fired power plants. As a result, the energy transition could become more expensive and less competitive than it otherwise might be.

Core Claims and Analysis

Why a capacity market exists

As coal plants retire and demand grows (for example from e-mobility and heat pumps), Germany will need generation capacity that can respond in rare, critical hours.

The capacity market is framed as a “fire brigade” payment: plants receive money not only for generating electricity, but also for being available to generate in emergencies.

The “crucial number”: 10 hours (plus a 3-hour restart window)

A key eligibility condition in tenders requires:

• About 80% of capacity to be available for at least 10 consecutive hours
• The plant must be ready again within 3 hours

The narrator argues this requirement is well-suited to gas plants, while technologies like battery storage may face practical disadvantages—such as limitations in recharging fast enough with sufficient power connections.

Early tenders may shape the market before competition broadens

The video claims that the first tender (starting now) will allocate a large share of capacity under these gas-favoring rules.

• Example given: 11 GW total awarded in the initial approach, versus only 2 GW later under rules that would be more truly technology-open.

This means the “pie” could be distributed in a way that locks in gas dominance early.

Competition vs. “pre-favored” winners

Although the system is advertised as open and technology-neutral, the video argues the rules effectively preselect advantages, so bids may not reflect real competition.

That, in turn, can raise costs because the market outcome is not driven purely by the lowest price for ensuring security of supply.

Who Pays / Estimated Cost Scale

How it’s financed

The video states the capacity market would be funded via a levy in the electricity price, effective when the market begins (Nov 1, 2031).

Cost estimate (BNE reference)

A referenced estimate (from BNE) suggests a potential surcharge of up to 0.454 cents per kWh, estimated at roughly €24 per year for an average consumer (4500 kWh).

It also warns that many smaller cost add-ons can accumulate into a much larger total expense.

Cost Ceiling and Bidding Dynamics

A key parameter highlighted is:

• Maximum bid price: €244,000 per MW per year (tender ceiling)

The narrator emphasizes uncertainty:

• Competition could push bids down
• But if the rules lead to few bidders, operators may receive amounts closer to the maximum.

Guest Input (BNE)

The video includes Markus Schleuning (BNE), who is quoted as warning that:

• The capacity-market push for gas could cost several hundred billion euros in total (projected).
• It could also create additional system costs by pushing out more effective technologies—such as batteries and industrial flexibility—that could absorb and release renewable electricity at the right times, potentially reducing overall subsidy needs.
• Centralized procurement risks overprocurement, increasing the burden on consumers.
• Only a small number of large corporations (example: RWE) could benefit strongly from a “driver” system.

Conclusion / Overall Verdict

The video concludes that the capacity market’s underlying goal is sensible, but argues it may devolve into a quasi-monopoly of gas-fired power plants rather than a truly competitive market across technologies.

It claims Germany already has alternatives—battery storage, pumped storage, biogas—that could compete alongside gas if the market were designed differently.

It ultimately suggests that the affordability of the transition will hinge on these “small” regulatory details.

Note: The video also contains a short unrelated segment about GDPR data deletion tools, including a data leak example, but the main focus is the capacity market critique.

Presenters / Contributors

• Main presenter / narrator: (Unnamed in subtitles; “Hey guys…” voice)
• Guest: Dr. Markus Schleuning (BNE)
• Referenced policymaker/authority: Katharina Reiche (mentioned in the video)