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=== After 2017 ===
[[File:V4 Web BOeLL-FF Energiewende (page 16 crop) jobs.jpg|thumb|Jobs in the renewable energy sector in Germany in 2018]]
Since 2017, it had become clear that the ''Energiewende'' was not progressing at the anticipated speed, with the countryCountry's [[Politics of global warming|climate policy]] regarded as "lackluster" and the energy transition "stalling."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/cop25-when-it-comes-to-climate-protection-germany-still-has-a-lot-to-do/a-51621620|title=COP25: When it comes to climate protection, Germany still has a lot to do {{!}} DW {{!}} 11 December 2019|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB|access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/power-levies-big-industry-concern-parties-debate-potential-coalitions/urgent-rethink-required-germanys-energy-transition-stalls|title=Urgent rethink required as Germany's energy transition stalls|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en|access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref> High [[Electricity pricing|electricity prices]], growing resistance against the use of wind turbines over their environmental and potential health impacts, and regulatory hurdles, have been identified as causes for thisthe slowdown.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d8b9b0bc-04a6-11ea-a984-fbbacad9e7dd|title=Germans fall out of love with wind power|date=17 November 2019|website=Financial Times|access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-wind-energy-stalls-amid-public-resistance-and-regulatory-hurdles/a-50280676|title=German wind energy stalls amid public resistance and regulatory hurdles {{!}} DW {{!}} 4 September 2019|website=Deutsche Welle|language=en-GB|access-date=12 December 2019}}</ref> As of 2017 Germany imported more than half of its energy.<ref>{{cite web|title=INFOGRAPHIC: Can Germany's Energiewende ensure supply security?|url=http://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/infographic/infographic-can-germany-s-energiewende-ensure-supply-security/|date=21 June 2016|work=[[EurActiv]].com|access-date=1 February 2017}}</ref>
A 2018 European Commission case study report on the ''Energiewende'' noted 27% decrease in {{CO2}} emissions against the 1990 levels with a slight increase over the few preceding years and concluded achieving of the intended 40% reduction target by 2020 in unfeasible, primarily due to the "simultaneous nuclear phase-out and increased energy consumption". Also 50% increase of electricity prices was observed (compared to base 2007 prices). Germany's energy sector remains the largest single source of {{CO2}} emissions, contributing over 40%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/mission_oriented_r_and_i_policies_case_study_report_energiewende-de.pdf|title=Mission-oriented R&I policies: In-depth case studies: Energiewende}}</ref>
In 2018 the slow-down of deployment of new renewable energy was partially attributed to high demand for land, which has been highlighted as a potential "downside" by a WWF report.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Land set to become "new currency" of Germany's energy transition – study|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/land-more-precious-money-future-energiewende-audi-fined/land-set-become-new-currency-germanys-energy-transition-study|access-date=5 October 2021|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref>
{{See also|Surface power density}}
In March 2019, Chancellor Merkel formed a so-called "climate cabinet" to find a consensus on new emissions reduction measures to meet 2030 targets. The result was the Climate Action Program 2030, which Berlin adopted on 9 October 2019.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iea.org/reports/germany-2020|title=Germany 2020 – Analysis|website=IEA|language=en-GB|access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref> The Program contains plans for a carbon pricing system for the heating and transportation sectors, which are not covered by the EU ETS. It also includes tax- and other incentives to encourage energy-efficient building renovations, higher [[Electric vehicle|EV]] subsidies, and more public transport investments. The IEA report concludes that "[t]he package represents a clear step in the right direction towards Germany meeting its 2030 targets."<ref name=":2" /> The [[Commission on Growth, Structural Change and Employment|German Coal Commission]], composed of 28 industrial, environmental, and regional organizations, voted on the coal phase-out date. Ultimately, 27 members voted in favor of the 2038 coal phase-out date, with only one regional organization from [[Lusatia]] voting against, and [[Greenpeace]] voting in favor and later releasing a non-binding "dissenting opinion".<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 January 2019|title=German commission proposes coal exit by 2038|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/german-commission-proposes-coal-exit-2038|access-date=21 January 2022|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref>
As result of phasing out nuclear power and, in long term, coal, Germany declared increased reliance on [[fossil gas]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Speech by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel at the 49th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos on 23 January 2019|url=https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/speech-by-federal-chancellor-angela-merkel-at-the-49th-world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-in-davos-on-23-january-2019-1574188|website=Home Page|language=en|access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=We will have phased out nuclear energy by 2022. We have a very difficult problem, namely that almost the only sources of energy that will be able to provide baseload power are coal and lignite. Naturally, we cannot do without baseload energy. Natural gas will therefore play a greater role for another few decades. I believe we would be well advised to admit that if we phase out coal and nuclear energy then we have to be honest and tell people that we'll need more natural gas.|author=Angela Merkel|title=|source=Speech at 49th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos on 23 January 2019}}
A similar statement was voiced by SPD MP [[Udo Bullmann]] who explained that Germany has to stick with fossil fuels as it's trying to replace both coal and nuclear "at the same time", while countries that rely on nuclear power have "easier task replacing fossil fuels".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Michalopoulos|first=Sarantis|date=19 March 2021|title=German MEP: Nord Stream 2 needs a 'European' perspective|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/german-mep-nord-stream-2-needs-a-european-perspective/|access-date=19 March 2021|website=www.euractiv.com|language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2020 [[Agora Energiewende]] also declared a number of new fossil gas plants will be also required to "guarantee supply security as Germany relies more and more on intermittent renewable electricity".<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 April 2021|title=EU indecision over gas as green investment imperils supply security – German utilities|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/eu-indecision-over-gas-green-investment-imperils-supply-security-german-utilities|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref> In January 2019, Germany's Economy Minister [[Peter Altmaier]] he doesndidn't want to import "cheap nuclear power" from other countries to compensate for planned phase-out of coal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 2019|title=German Economy Minister – Do not want imported nuclear power to make up for coal phase-out: ZDF|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-germany-energy-coal-idUKKCN1PM0GW|access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> In 2021 [[European Green Party|Green]] [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Sven Giegold]] admitted that Germany may require new fossil gas power plants in order to "stabilise the more fluctuating power supply of renewables".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kurmayer|first=Nikolaus J.|date=1 November 2021|title=Green MEP: Germany 'may need some additional gas turbines' to stabilise renewables|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/interview/green-mep-germany-may-need-some-additional-gas-turbines-to-stabilise-renewables/|access-date=1 November 2021|website=www.euractiv.com|language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[File:Energiemix Deutschland.svg|thumb|right|In the late 2010s, there starts to be a significant decline in the use of (brown) coal and therefore in emissions.]]
* reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The following climate goals however failed:
* increasing renewable energy share in the transport sector
* reducing primary energy consumption
* final energy productivity.
In 2020, a number of previously shut down [[Natural gas|fossil gas]] plants ([[Irsching Power Station|Irsching]] units 4 and 5) were restarted due to "heavy fluctuations of level of power generated from the wind and sun"<ref>{{Cite web|title=StackPath|url=https://www.uniper.energy/news/uniper-and-co-shareholder-decide-to-return-irsching-4-and-5-gas-power-plants-to-the-market/|access-date=28 May 2020|website=www.uniper.energy}}</ref> and a new [[Natural gas|fossil gas]] power plant was announced by RWE near the former [[Biblis Nuclear Power Plant|Biblis nuclear power plant]] shut down in 2017. The project is declared as part of "decarbonization plan" where renewable energy capacity is accompanied by fossil gas plants to cover for intermittency.<ref>{{Cite web|last=nicholasnhede|date=19 November 2020|title=RWE gas-fired plant to supply German nuclear decommissioning project|url=https://www.powerengineeringint.com/gas-oil-fired/rwe-gas-fired-plant-to-supply-german-nuclear-decommissioning-project/|access-date=19 November 2020|website=Power Engineering International|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, a new coal power plant unit, [[Datteln Power Station|Datteln]] 4, was also connected to the grid.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Proctor|first=Darrell|date=2 June 2020|title=Germany Brings Last New Coal Plant Online|url=https://www.powermag.com/germany-brings-last-new-coal-plant-online/|access-date=24 October 2021|website=POWER Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> A new fossil gas power plant will be also opened from 2023 in [[Leipheim]], [[Bavaria]] to compensate for loss of power caused by "nuclear exit" in thisthe regionRegion.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 February 2021|title=Bavaria gets new gas-fired power plant to ensure supply security|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/bavaria-gets-new-gas-fired-power-plant-ensure-supply-security|access-date=20 March 2021|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref> In 2021, the planned decommissioning of [[Heyden Power Station|Heyden]] 4 coal power plant was cancelled and the plant remains online to compensate for shutdown of the [[Grohnde Nuclear Power Plant|Grohnde nuclear power station]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 June 2021|title=Supply security: Uniper coal plant needs to stay in reserve a while longer|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/supply-security-uniper-coal-plant-needs-stay-reserve-while-longer|access-date=3 June 2021|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref> In 2022, another coal power plant was restarted in [[Schongau, Bavaria|Schongau]] for the same reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anonym|title=Not enough electricity for the citizens: Schongau reserve power plant in use for the first time|url=https://newsrnd.com/news/2022-02-13-not-enough-electricity-for-the-citizens--schongau-reserve-power-plant-in-use-for-the-first-time.B1fi61Q8kc.html|access-date=14 February 2022|website=newsrnd.com|language=en}}</ref>
In June 2021, professor {{Interlanguage link|André Thess|de}} from Stuttgart university published an open letter accusing [[Klaus Töpfer]] and [[Matthias Kleiner]], the authors of the 2011 Ethical Committee for Secure Energy Supply report that served as the scientific background of the "nuclear exit" decision, of disregarding the basic rules of scientific independence. The analysis promised that phase-out of nuclear energy and full transition to renewablesrenewable energy "can be completed within a decade". Thess highlighted that the authors lacked the expertise necessary to properly understand and "balance between the risk of more rapid climate change without nuclear energy and the risk of slower climate change with nuclear energy".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Unabhängige Wissenschaft?|url=https://www.igte.uni-stuttgart.de/dokumente/dokumente_es/Thess/02_Offener_Brief.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601043430/https://www.igte.uni-stuttgart.de/dokumente/dokumente_es/Thess/02_Offener_Brief.html|access-date=24 October 2021|website=www.igte.uni-stuttgart.de|archive-date=1 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Wetzel|first=Daniel|date=31 May 2021|title=Wegen Zustimmung zum Atomausstieg: Vorwürfe gegen Ethikkommission|work=DIE WELT|url=https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article231463371/Wegen-Zustimmung-zum-Atomausstieg-Vorwuerfe-gegen-Ethikkommission.html|access-date=3 June 2021}}</ref>
High average amounts of wind in 2019 and 2020 were presented in Germany as a success of therenewable renewablesenergy, but when the amount of wind was low for the first half of 2021, use of coal rose by 21% as compared to the previous years. In the first half of 2021 coal, gas, and nuclear power delivered 56% of overall electricity in Germany, with proportionally higher {{CO2}} intensity due to high inputs from coal and fossil gas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Germany: Coal tops wind as primary electricity source {{!}} DW {{!}} 13 September 2021|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-coal-tops-wind-as-primary-electricity-source/a-59168105|access-date=16 September 2021|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}</ref> According to another analysis by Oekomoderne, in 2021, Germany produced nearly 260 TWh of electricity from coal in the first half of 2021, making it the single largest source of energy in that period — as it used "one billion tons" of coal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.onebilliontons.org/|access-date=19 October 2021|website=1 Milliarde Tonnen|language=de}}</ref>
ThisThe situation once again raised questions about the future of weather-dependent electricity system that is also highly dependent on fossil sourcesenergy for stability and its contradiction with the initial objectives of decarbonization.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Shellenberger|first=Michael|title=Skyrocketing Natural Gas Prices Create New Opportunity for Nuclear Energy|url=https://michaelshellenberger.substack.com/p/skyrocketing-natural-gas-prices-create|access-date=16 September 2021|website=michaelshellenberger.substack.com|date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
Projections Report published in 2021 predicted that Germany will miss its 2030 target by 16 percentage points% (49% reduction vs 65% planned) and the 2040 target by 21 percentage points% (67% vs 88% planned).<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 August 2021|title=Germany to widely miss 2030 climate target – draft govt report|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-widely-miss-2030-climate-target-draft-govt-report|access-date=13 October 2021|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref> Reduction of emissions in other sectors of the economy is also expected to miss the original targets.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 October 2021|title=Government projection report confirms Germany clearly off-track from 2030 climate target|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/correction-government-projection-report-confirms-germany-clearly-track-2030-climate-target|access-date=28 October 2021|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref>
In October 2021, over 20 climate scientists and activists signed an open letter to the German governmentGovernment to reconsider the nuclear exit as it will lead to emissions of an extra 60 millions of tons of {{CO2}} each year and hinder decarbonization efforts even further.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kurmayer|first=Nikolaus J.|date=13 October 2021|title=Intellectuals urge Germany to keep nuclear plants online|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/electricity/news/german-intellectuals-urge-state-to-keep-nuclear-plants-online/|access-date=13 October 2021|website=www.euractiv.com|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Clean Energy Revolution: from fossil fuels to renewables + nuclear|url=https://cleanenergyrevolution.org/publications|access-date=13 October 2021|website=Clean Energy Revolution|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The new coalition formed after the [[2021 German federal election|2021 elections]] proposed earlier phase-out of coal and internal combustion cars by 2035, 65% energy generated from renewables by 2030 and 80% by 2040. In addition, 2% of land surface is to be set aside for on-shore wind power, and off-shore wind capacity is to be increased to 75 GW. Fossil gas role was reinforced as "indispensable" transition fuel with low-carbon nuclear power imported from France to ensure stability of supplies.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 November 2021|title=The catch with Germany's green transformation|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/the-catch-with-germanys-green-transition-transformation-coalition/|access-date=29 November 2021|website=POLITICO|language=en-US}}</ref>
By end of 2021, the single largest source of electricity in Germany was coal (9.5% hard and 20.2% brown), increase of 20% compared to 2020 due to significant drop in wind (−14.5%) and solar (−5%) power output in that year. Solar power only produced 9.9% electricity, while nuclear power produced 13% even as it was going through the process of decommissioning.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strommix 2022: Stromerzeugung in Deutschland |url=https://strom-report.de/strom/ |access-date=3 August 2022 |website=STROM-REPORT |language=de}}</ref>
In 2022, [[Agora Energiewende]] warned that Germany has missed its 2020 emission targets and is likely going to miss the 2030 targets, and increase of total emissions after 2022 is likely. Previously celebrated 2020 record low emissions were described as one-off effect of favorable weather and lower demand due to COVID-19 pandemics.<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 January 2022|title=Germany off course to 2030 climate target – think tank|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-course-2030-climate-target-think-tank|access-date=15 January 2022|website=Clean Energy Wire|language=en}}</ref> Nuclear phase-out, skyrocketing gas prices, and low wind and solar output resulting in increased reliance on coal were also attributed to the increase in emissions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Millard|first=Rachel|date=8 January 2022|title=Germany's meltdown over nuclear power risks a costly winter|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/01/08/germanys-decision-abandon-nuclear-power-epic-mistake/|access-date=15 January 2022|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
In January 2022 the new coalition government reiterated its opposition to the inclusion of [[nuclear power]] in the [[Nuclear power debate#EU Taxonomy|EU sustainable taxonomy]], but also requested that fossil gas is instead included as a "transitional" fuel and carbon intensity thresholds for gas are relaxed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kurmayer|first=Nikolaus J.|date=24 January 2022|title=Germany takes firm pro-gas stance in green taxonomy feedback to EU|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/germany-takes-firm-pro-gas-stance-in-green-taxonomy-feedback-to-eu/|access-date=25 January 2022|website=www.euractiv.com|language=en-GB}}</ref> As the subsidies for gas were ultimately upheld, a number of new fossil gas plants plan to benefit from the subsidies, while expecting increased profits thanks to "rising wholesale electricity prices" as result of "the last nuclear power plants to be removed from the grid" at the same time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Herne energy site: plans for one of the world's most state-of-the-art gas and steam power plants are in full swing |url=https://www.steag.com/en/news/insights/herne-energy-site |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418203939/https://www.steag.com/en/news/insights/herne-energy-site |archive-date=18 April 2021 |access-date=10 October 2022 |quote=It is also precisely at this point in time that the last nuclear power plants are to be removed from the grid, so that the Herne gas and steam power plant could benefit from rising wholesale electricity prices.}}</ref>
In 2023, Germany achieved its lowest [[greenhouse gas emissions]] since the 1950s with a 20% reduction, largely impacted by a decline in industrial production due to economic factors like the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Ukraine war]] and high energy prices. The Berlin-based think-tank [[Agora Energiewende]] attributed approximately half of thisthe reduction to decreased coal-fired power generation, while only 15% resulted from technological improvements such as enhanced renewable energy utilization. Despite these gains, with over 50% of Germany's electricity now derived from renewablesrenewable energy, concerns persist about the industrial sector's competitiveness and sustainability, as emission levels in construction and transport have not significantly changed, putting Germany at risk of missing its EU emission targets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=German emissions fall by a fifth amid stagnant industrial output |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c9aa5a8e-cd6d-4583-b0af-131c8c448913 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref>
=== Post-2022 ===
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