diff --git a/config.default.yaml b/config.default.yaml
index d2bf6159..b4083987 100755
--- a/config.default.yaml
+++ b/config.default.yaml
@@ -42,6 +42,15 @@ electricity:
   co2limit: 7.75e+7 # 0.05 * 3.1e9*0.5
   co2base: 1.487e+9
   agg_p_nom_limits: data/agg_p_nom_minmax.csv
+  # parameters used for the min renewable constraint, can be used with the RE wildcard in opts
+  renewable_aim: # installed capacity aim 2030 of BMWi for Germany https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Downloads/Energie/220111_eroeffnungsbilanz_klimaschutz.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=22
+    onwind: 100 #GW
+    offwind: 30 #GW
+    solar: 200 #GW
+  # parameters used for the base load constraint, can be used with the BL wildcard in opts
+  base_load:
+    lignite: 0.2 #min_p_pu value for lignite
+    nuclear: 0.354
 
   extendable_carriers:
     Generator: []
diff --git a/scripts/solve_network.py b/scripts/solve_network.py
index 4a569041..296c8080 100755
--- a/scripts/solve_network.py
+++ b/scripts/solve_network.py
@@ -233,6 +233,15 @@ def add_minRenew_constraints(n, config, o):
             rhs= config["electricity"]["renewable_aim"][tech] * 1000 #in GW
             define_constraints(n, lhs, '>=', rhs, 'Carrier', f'min_capacity_{tech}')
 
+def add_base_load_constraint(n, config):
+    '''
+    Adds the constraint that conventional carriers defined in the config have a base load namely p_min_pu.
+    To use this constraint simply add the wildcard BL in the opts wildcard.
+    '''
+    carriers=config["electricity"]["base_load"].keys()
+    for carrier in carriers:
+        filter=n.generators.query("carrier==@carrier").index
+        n.generators.loc[filter,"p_min_pu"]=config["electricity"]["base_load"][carrier]
 
 def add_battery_constraints(n):
     nodes = n.buses.index[n.buses.carrier == "battery"]
@@ -259,6 +268,8 @@ def extra_functionality(n, snapshots):
         add_SAFE_constraints(n, config)
     if 'CCL' in opts and n.generators.p_nom_extendable.any():
         add_CCL_constraints(n, config)
+    if "BL":
+        add_base_load_constraint(n, config)
     for o in opts:
         if "EQ" in o:
             add_EQ_constraints(n, o)