Due to limited resources in non-renewable energy, Germany is concentrating on the development of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, water, biomass and thermal heat in a major way.
The German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), on January 8, 2008, said that renewable energy accounted for over 14% of power consumption in Germany in 2007, increasing from nearly 12% in 2006 with wind being the primary source, as per the news reported by Reuters.
The Energy Federation identified energy from wind, solar, water, biomass and thermal heat made up for 9% of the total primary energy consumption in Germany in 2007, bringing down CO2 emissions in the country by 115 Million Tons. The increase in taxation of biofuels had an adverse impact on the growth of the sector in 2007 with overall fuel consumption in Germany witnessing only a minor increase from 6.6% in 2006 to 7%.
Despite the growth of renewable energy production in Germany exceeding the rest of the world, future growth was compromised primarily by the government curbing support for the industry. In 2007, the increase was mainly the result of unnaturally high winds activating wind turbines compared to 2006. Growth in the renewable energy industry in Germany is also being facilitated by tax breaks and other subsidies granted to the country’s renewable energy sources.
Germany is concentrating on renewable energy due to reasons like climatic change, limited resources of fossil fuels and a growing dependence on imported oil in the country. In such a scenario, the German government is encouraging renewable energy suppliers and companies in the country by creating an environment conducive to their business.
Credit for the surge in the use of renewable energy in Germany also goes to the initiatives undertaken by the power sector, especially Combined Renewable Energy Power Plant. Different renewable energy sources are combined together for optimum advantage in the Combined Power Plant. The availability of wind and sun determines the electricity generation from wind turbines and solar modules.
A Senior Research analyst at RNCOS opines, “Germany’s lack of non-renewable sources and vast availability of renewable energy sources are the main factors propelling the renewable energy industry. The benefits also translate into a much cleaner environment. It will also inspire the rest of the world in tackling the menace of global warming.”
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