In recent years, Germany has been following a new mantra in energy use: Energiewende. The term is in reference to the “energy revolution” embedded into cascades of policies that seek to achieve a climate friendly, secure and sustainable energy source for this major industrial nation. Using the Renewable Energy Sources Act (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz, EEG) as the major policy instrument, the German government mandates grid operators to increase electricity purchase from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric power (Buchan 13). By the year 2020, the federal policy aims to increase consumption of “green” and renewable energy to at least 35%, and expected to grow to 80% by 2050 (Alston and Whittenbury 136). In the aftermath of Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, Germany also made a bold move by aligning its policy to close all of its nuclear reactors by 2022. Hence, the country’s energy policy appears to be taking a major leap from its conventional energy practice.

Specific efforts and goals for Germany’s green energy policy can be found in the government’s visions for each renewable energy source. Wind power has been envisioned as a way to create a carbon-free energy source. The policy also covers the massive extension of hydroelectric energy by increasing the amount of power installations while still meeting environmental requirements (Buchan 26). Another important inclusion of the federal policy is the promotion of biofuel sources from wood and organic waste materials. Meanwhile, solar energy is also continually explored in Germany to leverage the electrical source. In fact, certain institutions in Germany (See Figure 1 for example) have been designated as “energy-plus” institutions, complete with solar energy panels installed in roofs. Similar to other renewable energy sources, incentive programs and feed-in tariffs are also applied for geothermal installations. In any case, the incremental success of Germany in revolutionizing energy source can be found in its generally effective policy implementation, rather than an abundant natural resource base.

Alston, Margaret and Kerri Whittenbury. Research, Action and Policy: Addressing the Gendered Impacts of Climate Change. New York: Springer, 2013. Print.

Buchan, David. “The Energiewende- Germany’s Gamble.” Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (2012): 1-33. Web. http://www.oxfordenergy.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/SP-261.pdf. 10 September 2013.

Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. “Germany’s new energy policy: Heading towards 2050 with secure, affordable and environmentally sound energy.” (2012): 1-49. Web. http://www.bmwi.de/English/Redaktion/Pdf/germanys-new-energy-policy,property=pdf,bereich=bmwi,sprache=en,rwb=true.pdf. 10 September 2013.