Germany Leads the Globe in Implementing Renewable Energy Policies
On July 8, 2011, Germany renewed its revolutionary Renewable Energy Sources Act. Despite international rumblings that the Bundestag, Germany’s House of Commons, was not going to renew the act which was first introduced in 2000, they simply revised it and readied it to go into effect on January 1. On the heels of the Japanese nuclear disaster at Fukishima, Germany’s leaders felt it necessary to address nuclear power and the future of nuclear power. After 30 years of debate, Germany declared that it would be able to leave nuclear power behind by the year 2022 earlier this summer. Part of the revisions for the 2012 update include a mandatory supply of 35-40% of renewable energy nationwide by 2020, not less than 50% by 2030, and not less than 65 percent by 2040, ultimately placing a huge reliance of 85 percent by 2050. Lofty and aggressive goals for a country that was originally thought to be reducing its commitment to renewable energy. While the revision was part of a regularly scheduled update (the previous 2 were in 2004 and 2009) it is a model for other nations to follow when negotiating changes in energy law. Currently, Germany stands as the largest solar market in the world and if the planned changes go into effect, they will remain on the forefront for the foreseeable future. In addition to the planned implementation of more solar energy, wind energy both offshore and onshore has been designed to now be able to grow in areas that are less windy than others. 60 percent of the wind energy in Germany is harnessed inland, away from the windy coasts, and serves as a great example for other nations looking to expand the role of renewable energy.
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