As at 16.10.2008

Lead Study shows great potential of renewable energies

The share of renewable energies in electricity consumption of currently about 15 percent can be doubled to over 30 percent by 2020 and increased to 50 percent by 2030. The share in total energy consumption, i.e. electricity, heat and mobility, can be increased to 18 percent by 2020 and to 50 percent by 2050. These are results of a new study on the expansion of renewable energies commissioned by the Federal Environment Ministry and conducted by Dr. Joachim Nitsch in cooperation with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).

The study also reveals that Germany can phase out nuclear energy as planned and still reach its climate protection targets, if efforts to increase energy efficiency and to modernise German power plants are stepped up. There is no indication of an electricity gap. Another important finding is that dependence on energy imports (uranium and fossil energy sources) will be reduced, the whole energy system will become more flexible and energy security will be significantly increased. There will also be economic benefits: with a strong domestic market, plant and mechanical engineering companies can be very successful on the world market and thus continue to create additional jobs in Germany.

With this study the Federal Environment Ministry is presenting further sound and up-to-date scientific information as a basis for shaping energy and climate policy in the years to come.