According to a press release from the German Ministry for Environment (BMU), the total number of employees is now 214,000. “These numbers underline that by supporting renewables with the feed-in law, we succeeded in establishing a new industrial branch in Germany”, says Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s Minister for Environment.

The growth of renewables in Germany is even exceeding expectations. The 2010 goal for a 12.5% share of renewables in electricity supply will probably already be surpassed this year. The overall share of 5.3% renewables in overall primary energy is already above the 2010 target of 4.2%. According to BMU studies, Germany will reach a 16% share in primary energy in 2020, which is just under the mandatory average target of 20%, as proposed by the European Commission – and supported by Germany. “We expand our share in a faster way than other EU Member States”, Gabriel says. “This also means that we can reach our ambitious climate policy targets while phasing out nuclear energy. Technically counting, renewables are now adding per year the yearly production of one nuclear plant to the power supply.”  

According to the same studies, Germany could reach a 45% share of renewables in electricity demand in 2030, and 77% in 2050. A 50% share in overall energy demand in 2050, together with an increase in energy efficiency would lead to a greenhouse gas emission reduction of 80%! Gabriel says: “This study underpins that a modernised energy supply can realise ambitious climate goals – without using nuclear energy.”

On June 4th the International Energy Agency is expected to publish a review of Germany’s energy policies, including the feed-in law.

More information (all in German): Press release, statistics and the study.