Carbon Breif: The Energiewende and energy prices: Public support and Germany’s long term vision

Germany has committed itself to an ambitious long-term policy agenda to decarbonise the energy sector. The Energiewende - or energy transformation - policies aren't cheap, but the German government says it's a price worth paying for long term energy security and a low carbon economy.

In 2010, the government outlined the Energiewende's goals : To reduce emissions by 80 per cent compared to 1990, and provide for 80 per cent of the country's electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2050 compared to 2008. If that wasn't ambitious enough, it made the task even more complicated by deciding to phase out all nuclear generation by 2022. The government pledged to achieve this in the most cost-effective way possible, while maintaining economic growth and high standards of living.

So far, the public have bought into the government's long term vision and are backing the plans, despite rising energy bills. But the media is increasingly concerned the Energiewende's policies will drive up energy costs, leaving consumers to foot the bill.  MORE