Germany Unveils Plans To Accelerate Green Energy Expansion

Germany’s economy and climate ministry presented a package of measures on Wednesday to speed up the expansion of renewable energy, as the need to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on Russian fossil fuels adds urgency to its green transition plans.

The three parties that make up Germany’s government had outlined their broad goals for expanding renewables in the coalition contract they signed last November, but Economy Minister Robert Habeck said the war in Ukraine underscored the importance of the plans. The package envisages green energy accounting for 80% of the power mix in Europe’s biggest economy by 2030, up from about 40% now and a previous target of 65%. “On the one hand, the climate crisis is coming to a head. On the other hand, Russia’s invasion shows how important it is to phase out fossil fuels and promote the expansion of renewables,” Habeck told reporters. The legislation includes a new clause acknowledging that the use of renewables is in the interests of public security.