German energy plan ‘can’t serve as global blueprint’

Around 60% of European energy experts don’t think the German energy transition can serve as a global blueprint. That’s according to a new survey from Weltenergierat Deutschland, the German member committee of the World Energy […]

Around 60% of European energy experts don’t think the German energy transition can serve as a global blueprint.

That’s according to a new survey from Weltenergierat Deutschland, the German member committee of the World Energy Council.

The German shift from nuclear and fossil fuels to renewables, known as the Energiewende, is being closely followed by a large majority of respondents (58%).

Four out of five energy professionals said at least parts of the concept could be adapted in their country. This is an increase from 2015, when it was only slightly more than half.

They added although the same formula wouldn’t work in all countries, it does serve as a source of inspiration – one quarter of European respondents said it had either triggered a national debate on energy or led to concrete political decisions being made.

However, this has not happened to a large extent outside Europe.

While 45% of Europeans indicated climate protection as the most important motivation for an energy transition, this was only true for 5% of the respondents from the rest of the world, where growth (36%) and access to energy (27%) were rated to be more important.

Dr Carsten Rolle, Managing Director of Weltenergierat – Deutschland, said: “Outside Europe, the hunger for safe energy and economic growth is a far more powerful driver for an energy transition than climate protection.”

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