Energiewende

Energiewende, literally “energy transition” in German, refers to Germany’s policy framework and social effort to transform its energy system toward sustainability, decarbonization, and security of supply. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring affordable, reliable energy for households and industry, and to expand renewable energy use across electricity, heating, and transport.

The concept emerged in the late 1990s with the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which supported the rapid deployment of wind, solar, and other renewables. The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster accelerated a political commitment to phase out nuclear power, leading to the complete shutdown of nuclear reactors by 2022. While nuclear power is being retired, the policy emphasizes expanding renewables, improving efficiency, and modernizing the electricity grid; coal-fired generation remains a transitional issue, with a planned coal exit in the late 2030s.

Key targets include increasing the share of renewables in electricity to around 65% by 2030, achieving substantial greenhouse gas reductions relative to 1990 levels (with a long-term goal of climate neutrality by mid-century), and phasing out coal by about 2038. These aims are accompanied by efforts to decarbonize heating and transport and to improve energy efficiency across sectors. Market and regulatory mechanisms have evolved from feed-in tariffs to competitive auctions for renewable capacity, complemented by grid expansion, storage development, and sector coupling to link electricity with heating, mobility, and industry.

Challenges include grid bottlenecks, intermittency of wind and solar, high consumer prices at times, and public acceptance of infrastructure projects. Proponents argue Energiewende reduces nuclear risk and climate impact, while critics point to costs and reliability concerns. The policy continues to shape Germany’s energy landscape and its climate strategy.