The introduction of the German Renewable Energies Act (EEG) in April 2000 marked the start of the expansion of renewable energies in Germany.
The law postulates two fundamental principles – first, in the grid, power from regenerative sources is given priority over conventional power. Second, the feed-in tariffs determined by the legislator for the supply of renewable energies establishes investment security.
The developments of the past 20 years confirm the success of the EEG: Since the law went into force, the share of renewable energies in the gross power consumption in Germany has continually increased, from 6.2 percent in 2000 to 42.1 percent in 2019. Accordingly, 244 billion kWh are generated from solar energy, wind, water and biomass. Bioenergy accounts for 11 percent of this figure. In the field of heat generation, renewable energies account for a share of 39 percent, some 34 percent of which are based on bioenergy.
“In Germany, regenerative energies are the number one power source, and the world has come to view the EEG as an effective instrument for the systematic, publicly approved expansion”, said Jens Albartus, director of the German biogas plan manufacturer Weltec Biopower. “Moreover, the law and its adaptations to new market conditions have constantly brought about new technologies that have become an indispensable element of many profitable energy plants.”
Innovation, in particular, is the driver of the global expansion of renewable energies, in which German companies play a key role. Since it was founded back in 2001, Weltec advanced from a pioneer in the biogas industry to a key factor in the energy reform. With its sustainable technologies and basic values, the biogas specialist is successful around the globe and makes an important contribution to environmental protection. For instance, the company’s success is evident from its exports, which are above the industry average: Over the years, the company has planned and set up more than 300 plants in 25 countries on five continents. WELTEC has invested more than €100 million in its own biogas plants throughout Germany.
Published in the May 2020 Edition