Germany ranks third in the world and first in Europe for investment in the energy transition that lies at the heart of decarbonisation. Renewable energies and greater energy efficiency are the core focus. Specific aims include tripling solar power capacity to 200GW and expanding offshore wind energy capacity from 20GW to 30GW by 2030, alongside an extensive hydrogen economy and optimisation of the biomass industry. In energy efficiency, almost 350 of a planned 500 networks have already been established, helping to place Germany in the world’s top 3 most energy-efficient countries. Discover how your business can add to – and benefit – from the future of energy.
Energy
Germany is leading the “energy transition”
Energy efficiency and sustainability have become an international priority. Germany's energy industries are fuelled by innovation in renewability and efficiency, backed by solid government investment and support.
Germany is Europe’s leading wind energy market with over 1.6 GW of newly installed capacity in 2020 and more than 62 GW of total capacity.
In 2020, a total of 50.6 TWh was generated from photovoltaic systems. This amounts to an increase of 9 percent compared to the previous year.
The German markets for environmentally friendly energy generation, distribution and storage, and energy efficiency are expected to grow at an average rate of more than 8 percent per year until 2030, according to the German environmental ministry’s "GreenTech Atlas".
About 50.6 TWh of electricity in Germany were provided from biomass in 2020.
Efficiency and innovation: great opportunities for new players
Germany is a driving force behind the European offshore wind industry. The country is aiming for an installed capacity of 40 GW by 2040 and is supporting new technologies with a new offshore test area. Offshore wind will also play a major role in the hydrogen production of the future.
Ahead of the EU's upcoming requirement of a 0 percent energy use standard for new construction, Germany is already building structures that produce more energy than they consume.
Collaboration for green energy solutions
Through the Kopernikus project, the German government plans to invest EUR 400 million between 2016 and 2025 in research into the energy transition, from initial research all the way through to real-life applications.
Project areas include the energy grid, energy storage, energy efficiency in industry and a navigation system to judge the impact of political and economic measures on the energy system.
Digital Agenda for the Energy Transition (SINTEG)
SINTEG is a funding project showcasing smart model solutions for the energy transition in large-scale demonstration areas throughout Germany.More than 300
More than 300 representatives of companies and research institutes, along with business community members, politicians and union reps developed solutions in 5 different model regions all over Germany between 2016 and 2020. The results are now available.EUR 200 million
in government funding and EUR 500 million in private funding. It brings together research institutes, industry experts and government representatives to develop technologies for networking, supplying and storing energy.
The right industry climate for innovation and development
Because of effective public, industrial and governmental backing, Germany is able to marshal a wide range of new energy technologies. They collaborate in meeting the needs of the "energy transition", providing a secure, environmentally friendly and economically successful energy system. Get in touch to learn more.