Germany must invest tens of billions of euros in its power grid over the coming decade to avoid an electricity shortfall as it switches from nuclear to renewable energy, according to grid operators.

Germany’s government, the federal energy network regulator and grid firms unveiled joint plans to build thousands of kilometres of new electricity lines by 2022 to help distribute volatile renewable energy.

Martin Fuchs, whose company TenneT TSO operates the grid to carry offshore wind power from the North Sea to mainland locations, said on top of €20 billion that must be invested onshore there would be a bill of perhaps €12 billion to connect future wind parks.

German chancellor Angela Merkel said despite the cost there was no going back on the country’s decision to stop using nuclear power, describing her Energiewende, or energy revolution, as “demanding but exciting”. Her government has, however, struggled to come up with a clear plan on managing the shift from nuclear to renewable energy.