Energy transition in Germany: slow down or full throttle for a green future?

Energy transition in Germany: slow down or full throttle for a green future?

The German energy transition is at a critical point, as reported on August 16, 2025 Business Leaders is reported. This switch to renewable energy has always been celebrated as the project of the century par excellence, but it has received both praise and criticism. On the one hand, the demand for electricity, especially due to the increasing electrification of transport, industry and heating, is pushing for a rapid expansion of the necessary infrastructure. Economics Minister Reiche is currently checking how much green electricity Germany actually needs, while at the same time skeptical voices are getting louder.

A certain resistance is evident in the demands for a slower pace of expansion. Critics warn of excessive demands, rising costs and the threat of delays, which could also jeopardize social support for the energy transition. However, studies warn that slowing down this process would be risky and fatal: Germany will need between 650 and 750 terawatt hours of green electricity per year by 2045, a significant increase compared to around 500 TWh today.

Key points of the energy transition

• Der steigende Strombedarf erfordert umfassende Investitionen in Windkraft, Solarenergie und moderne Netzinfrastruktur.
• Klimaziele sind nur durch den massiven Ausbau erneuerbarer Energien erreichbar.
• Der Netzausbau bleibt hinter den Anforderungen zurück; interne Leitungen fehlen.
• Speichertechnologien sind essenziell, um Flexibilität und Stabilität im System zu gewährleisten.
• Hohe Investitionskosten drohen, die bei weiteren Verzögerungen nur noch steigern dürften.

A central concern remains acceptance among the population and active citizen participation. Political pressure to maintain stable energy costs while accelerating investments is a constant balancing act. Planning security for investors is essential in order to avoid an investment backlog, as the approval process for new systems often takes years. Critical experts in energy science and climate research make it clear that massive expansion is necessary in order to achieve the ambitious climate goals by 2045.

The challenge of acceptance

But what happens when the process is slowed down? Business and local politics are already warning of the possible negative consequences of slow expansion. Feedback from the public is mixed - while many see the need for the energy transition, there are also those concerned about possible environmental impacts and costs. An open dialogue and transparent exchange about the measures are necessary in order to reduce reservations and create acceptance.

In summary: The integration process of renewable energies is complex and the course must be set correctly now. A good hand in planning and implementation is needed so that Germany does not fail due to its own energy transition.