The term Energiewende translates to mean energy turnaround. This has been Germany’s and much of the European Union goal; to use more renewable energy. In 1997 the European Union including Germany agreed to the direction of achieving 12% renewable electricity by 2010. By 2010 Germany had not only achieved this, but was looking ahead to much greater aspirations. Germany targets being 35% renewable energy by 2020, 50% by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 80% by 2050; renewable energy at 18% by 2020, 30% by 2030, and 60% by 2050. Most importantly, after the Fukushimia disaster in Japan; Germany planned to phase out all nuclear energy by 2022.
Many argue that these targets are unattainable, and a waste of resources. Renewable energy is great for the environment, and is self sustaining, but that comes at a high price. Renewable energy is extremely expensive, and making room for these energy sources has impacted the environment negatively. Increasing electricity prices in the EU are predicted to be 70% higher by 2025,
predicted by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. That is just compounded by the expense of moving from nuclear energy to only renewable energy. Many approximate figures of total costs have been thrown around ranging from 1 trillion euros to 203 billion euros in the next 20 years. As to actual cost we will have to wait and see, but there is no argument that this endeavor isn’t costly. These negatives are leaving the German people to question whether this move to renewables is completely beneficial.
Bell, Larry. “German Green Energy Bluster Running Out Of Wind” Forbes.com. August 13, 2013
Russell, Walter. “Germans Re-Thinking “Turn” to Green Energy”. American Interest. July 13 2013
SPEIGEL Staff. “The Price of Green Energy: Is Germany Killing the Environment to Save It?” March 12, 2013