General Information Renewable Energy

What are renewable energies?

Wind and solar energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and bioenergy are available in almost limitless supply. In contrast to fossil energies such as oil, coal, uranium and natural gas, the use of renewable energies protects the climate and environment, is resource-efficient and safe. Renewable energies ensure greater independence from energy imports, greater security of supply and strengthen the domestic economy. Using renewable energies avoids climate-damaging emissions which cause significant follow-up costs and have serious impacts. The increased use of renewable energies is therefore not only appropriate from an environmental perspective, it also has macroeconomic benefits.

Goals

The goal of the German government is to achieve a modern, climate-friendly, sustainable and secure energy supply for Germany. For this purpose, the use of renewable energies will be expanded rigorously and energy efficiency will be further increased with the aim of renewable energies contributing the main share to the energy supply.

The following goals are laid down by law: The share of renewable energies in total electricity consumption will be increased to at least 35% by 2020. By no later than 2050, that share is expected to grow to at least 80%. In 2020, the share of renewable energies in heating is to reach 14%.

The German government's renewable energy policy

Structural change: massive expansion of renewable energies

The Federal Environment Ministry strongly supports the increased use of renewable energies and thus a structural change in energy supply. The Federal Environment Ministry considers the expansion of renewable energy a valuable instrument for a fundamental modernisation of energy supply in Germany while at the same time improving energy efficiency and increasing it significantly, for making sustainable use of resources and strengthening Germany's leading position on the global market for climate-friendly technologies. The German government also advocates a resolute expansion of renewable energies at European level.

Important instrument: the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)

The Renewable Energy Sources Act is an important driver and the most successful instrument for the expansion of renewable energies. The EEG obliges grid operators to give priority to the purchase of electricity from renewable energies. Since 1 January 2009, the Renewable Energies Heat Act (EEWärmeG) has also been promoting the increased use of heat from renewable energy sources.

Wind energy

The German government considers wind energy a key technology for a future carbon-free energy mix. Wind energy has a leading position with regard to generating electricity from renewable energies. However, there is still considerable potential to be tapped: the German government believes that increasing the use of offshore wind energy, further exploiting onshore wind energy, especially replacing older installations with modern, more effective ones, are particularly important elements.

Hydropower

The German government plans to further exploit the potential of hydropower by replacing, modernising and reactivating existing installations as well as building new mini-hydropower plants at existing transverse structures. Any concerns regarding environmental or nature conservation will be considered and balanced with the interest in using hydropower. Accordingly, the German government specified ecological requirements for hydropower plants in the new Federal Water Act of 1 March 2010.

Biomass

Biomass for generating electricity or heat includes renewable resources such as wood, but also animal or vegetable waste. Biomass is up and coming in electricity generation: In 2009 around 9% more electricity was generated from biomass, biogas, landfill and sewage gas and the biogenic share of waste than the year before.

Solar energy

The sun provides us with enough energy every year to cover Germany's energy needs 80-fold. The amended EEG aims to promote own consumption of solar electricity to an even higher degree. Through the new provision on own consumption the German government hopes to reduce the consumption of electricity from the grid to ease the burden on it. This in turn will advance the integration of electricity generated from renewables into the grid.

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is an energy source which in all probability will never run out. Geothermal installations for power generation are supported by the German government under the Renewable Energy Sources Act. The EEG provides a high degree of planning and investment security due to fixed tariffs over a period of 20 years. The German government also promotes deep geothermal energy installations for the generation of electricity and/or heat with the Market Incentive Programme.

Consumer information

Using renewable energy not only contributes to keeping the air clean and protecting the climate. It also makes us independent of energy imports and fluctuating prices for gas and oil. Heat pumps and solar installations, for instance, pay off after only a few years. Furthermore, renewable energies are responsible for job growth in Germany. About 382,000 jobs (in 2011) were created in Germany because of renewable energies. And this is an upward trend – both for the domestic market and for exports in a rapidly growing global market. For this reason, this young industrial sector is one of the most stable ones of the future.

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