Official Energiewende evaluation calls for massive investments - report

Germany’s transition to a low-carbon, nuclear-free economy is making progress, economy and energy minister Peter Altmaier told Klaus Stratmann for an article in Handelsblatt. “We are fully on track in regards to renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2017 and 2018, and energy consumption in 2018 was at its lowest since 1972,” Altmaier said. The minister’s assessment is based on an upcoming progress report on the energy transition, a draft of which was obtained by Handelsblatt. While the overall assessment is positive, Stratmann writes, the report also calls for massive investments, for example in the energy-efficient renovation of buildings, and in the transport sector.

Germany is bidding farewell to nuclear energy, expanding renewable energy production and aiming to make its economy virtually climate-neutral by mid-century. The government of Europe’s most populous country initiated the decades-long overhaul of its economy — the Energiewende — with broad public backing and cross-party support. To monitor the progress of this endeavour in all economic sectors, the economy ministry (BMWi) publishes an annual Energiewende Monitoring Report. It analyses the most crucial developments and targets of the Energiewende in the current year, such as the share of renewables in power production, primary energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency. Every three years, the BMWi releases a Progress Report instead of the Monitoring Report. The Progress Report provides broader context and more in-depth analysis with a longer-term time horizon. It is expected to be released in May or June 2019.