The impact of German Energiewende on the energy transition in the European Union Cover Image

Wpływ niemieckie Energiewende na transformację energetyczną w Unii Europejskiej
The impact of German Energiewende on the energy transition in the European Union

Author(s): Ewelina Kochanek
Subject(s): Environmental and Energy policy
Published by: Instytut Zachodni im. Zygmunta Wojciechowskiego
Keywords: energy security; energy transformation; Energiewende; systems transition; EU energy transition

Summary/Abstract: Nowadays, energy is a strategic product, which means that there is a correlation between the level of its consumption or the amount of resources held, and the economic development of societies. Taking care of energy security, Germany decided to undergo an energy transformation of its economy, known as the Energiewende. The energy transformation involves not only a technological revolution, but also major changes in the production and consumption process. Germany is perceived as a global precursor of a new energy concept, both in terms of phasing out the nuclear power plant and gradually switching to electricity production from renewable sources. According to the assumptions, the program is to be a flywheel for the German economy, ensuring stability and employment growth. The article aims to show the influence of the Energiewendeon the EU's efforts to achieve a zero-emission economy. Therefore, the issues discussed include: explaining the concept of Energiewende and the reasons for its Europeanization, indicating the strength of the impact on the EU intra-community environment of the energy transformation being carried out, and listing the benefits of Energiewende for the German economy, both at the national and international level. In the light of the research assumptions made, a thesis was formulated which states that Enegiewende serves to strengthen the German economic position in the international arena.The main research methods used in the text are institutional and legal analysis, critical analysis of the literature on the subject, and the prognostic method.

  • Issue Year: 377/2020
  • Issue No: 04
  • Page Range: 51-68
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: English, Polish