New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Post-nuclear, Germany’s renewable energy ambitions ramp up
16/8/2023
6 min read
Feature
Germany has embarked on a wide-ranging programme to accelerate progress towards the country’s renewable energy targets and net zero by 2050. Maybe there are lessons for us all, writes New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis.
Shortly after taking office in late 2021, the German federal coalition government of Social Democrats (SPD), the Green Party and Liberal Democrats embarked on a very ambitious energy reform programme. The green-minded Economic and Climate Ministry (BMWK) was concerned that Germany was likely to miss its climate target for emissions reduction by 15% in 2030.
Adding to the pressure, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis prompted Germany’s Climate Ministry to present numerous amendments to existing laws and funding schemes.
A month later, the Ministry presented two large legislative packages for accelerating change – the Easter Package and a Summer Package of emergency programmes. The Easter Package was adopted in July 2022 and the Summer Package was split into individual reform efforts.