1.8.1 Getting Out of Nuclear Energy

Both in private households as well as in transport and industry fossil fuels continue to be the backbone of the energy mix, accounting for about a third the mineral oil is the most important primary energy source, followed by natural gas, lignite, coal and nuclear energy. The Nuclear Energy (share of around nine per cent) will gradually be phased out and replaced by renewable energies according to the plans of the Federal Government. The funding policy set at the beginning of the 1990s in gear makes the use of renewable energy attractive and economical. That was the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), a market incentive program to promote the use of renewable energy, is considered the driver of the upswing of climatefriendly energy sources and is adopted by many countries in its fundamentals.

The key policy document outlining the energy transition/Energiewende was published by the German government in September 2010, some six months before the Fukushime nuclear accident. Legislative support was passed in 2011. Important aspects include:

• greenhouse gas reductions: 80–95% reduction by 2050
• renewable energy targets: 60% share by 2050 (renewables broadly defined as hydro, solar and wind power)
• energy efficiency: electricity efficiency up by 50% by 2050
• an associated research and development drive

The policy has been embraced by the German federal government and has resulted in a huge expansion of renewables.