Policy
editThe renewable energy sector benefited when the European Free Alliance Alliance '90/The Greens party joined the Federal Government between 1998 and 2005. The renewable energy sector was aided especially by the law that required businesses to buy energy generated from renewable sources first before buying energy from non-renewable sources. People who produce energy in their own homes have a guarantee by the government that they can sell their 'product' at fixed prices for a period of 20 years. This has created a surge in the production of clean energy.
For the 2005-2010 period the Federal Government set aside nearly 800 millon euros for scientific research in the country. That research is going to be earmarked for policies of long-lasting development.
Additionally, in 2001 a law passed requiring the closing of all nuclear power plants within a period of 32 years. The idea is that in 2020 nuclear energy will not be used anywhere in the country.
The German energy policy is framed within the European Union, and the March 2007 European Council in Brussels aproved an mandatory energy plan that requires a 20% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions before the year 2020 and the consumption of renewable energies to be 20% of total EU consumption (compared to 7% in 2006)[1]. The accord indirectly acknowledged the role of nuclear energy -- which is not renewable -- in the reduction of the emission of Greenhouse gas, allowing each member state to decide whether or not to use nuclear generated electricity.
Also a compromise was reached to achieve a minimum quota of 10% Biofuels in the total consumption of gasoline y Diesel in transport in 2020.
See also: Nuclear energy policy, Berlin Declaration (2007), Common Foreign and Security Policy