[Weekly Preview] Germany’s Energy Transition Takes a New Turn: Where Is Sino-German Cooperation Headed? (AI Translation)
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This article was translated from Chinese using AI. The translation may contain inaccuracies. Click the button on the right to hide or reveal the original version.
当地时间2024年3月19日，第十届柏林能源转型对话在德国柏林启动，德国外长贝尔伯克在开幕式上发表讲话。图：卢羽桐
文｜财新周刊 卢羽桐 发自德国柏林
By Lu Yutong, Caixin Weekly, reporting from Berlin, Germany
“德国已经摆脱了俄罗斯天然气，并再次准备好成为全球清洁能源转型的领导者。”德国可再生能源协会主席Simone Peter在3月中旬的柏林能源转型对话论坛（下称“柏林论坛”）上如此表态，“我们必须参与其中（in the game）。”
“Germany has already freed itself from Russian natural gas and is once again ready to become a global leader in the clean energy transition,” said Simone Peter, chairman of the German Renewable Energy Federation, at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (hereafter referred to as the "Berlin Forum") in mid-March. “We must be in the game.”
历时两年，德国基本消化了俄乌冲突带来的能源供给冲击；在风电、光伏装机增长以及良好的天气条件下，2023年，可再生能源发电在德国电力总消费量中的占比首次突破50%的关口，达到55%，同比增加6.6个百分点。
After two years, Germany has largely absorbed the energy supply shock brought on by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Thanks to growth in wind and solar power installations, as well as favorable weather conditions, renewable energy generation accounted for more than 50% of Germany’s total electricity consumption for the first time in 2023, reaching 55%, an increase of 6.6 percentage points year-over-year.
观察德国的可再生能源供给结构，风电目前占据最大份额，2023年贡献了超过三成的电力消费量；其次是太阳能，占12.1%；此外，生物质能占8.4%，水力和其他清洁能源贡献剩余的3.4%。
Observing Germany's renewable energy supply structure, wind power currently holds the largest share, contributing over 30% of electricity consumption in 2023. Solar energy ranks second, accounting for 12.1%. Additionally, biomass energy provides 8.4%, while hydropower and other clean energy sources make up the remaining 3.4%.
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Caixin is acclaimed for its high-quality, investigative journalism. This section offers you a glimpse into Caixin’s flagship Chinese-language magazine, Caixin Weekly, via AI translation. The English translation may contain inaccuracies.
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[Weekly Preview] Germany’s Energy Transition Takes a New Turn: Where Is Sino-German Cooperation Headed? (AI Translation)
Explore the story in 30 seconds
- Germany aims for 80% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2035, with renewables reaching 55% of electricity consumption in 2023.
- To compensate for phasing out fossil fuels and nuclear power, Germany plans to rely heavily on hydrogen, seeking international partnerships for imports.
- While emphasizing collaboration, German officials express concerns about over-reliance on China for renewable technologies, promoting localized production and supply chain diversification.
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Explore the story in 3 minutes
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Who’s Who
- LONGi Green Energy
隆基绿能 - LONGi Green Energy is a Chinese photovoltaic component manufacturer. In April 2024, the European Commission initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into LONGi Green Energy's photovoltaic projects in Romania. This action is part of the EU's broader effort to scrutinize Chinese green energy companies.
- Shanghai Electric
上海电气 - Shanghai Electric is among the Chinese companies that the European Commission is investigating for anti-subsidy violations in their photovoltaic projects in Romania. This follows the EU's broader scrutiny of Chinese companies, including an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.
- CATL
宁德时代 - CATL, along with other leading Chinese companies like BYD, showcased their products at Europe's largest energy industry exhibition, "The smarter E Europe," in Munich in June 2023. Approximately 80% of the exhibitors were Chinese firms, indicating their significant presence and business traction in the European market.
- BYD
比亚迪 - During the "Europe Smart Energy Exhibition" in Munich in June 2023, BYD was one of the Chinese companies that attracted significant attention. Approximately 80% of the exhibitors were from China, and BYD's booth, along with other industry leaders, was notably crowded with European customers seeking consultations.
- thyssenkrupp AG
蒂森克虏伯股份公司 - thyssenkrupp AG, a traditional German industrial giant, is actively involved in green initiatives. Its CEO, Miguel López, announced at the China Development Forum 2024 that the company is building the world's largest industrial decarbonization project in Germany. This involves constructing a hydrogen direct reduction plant to produce 2.5 million tons of reduced iron annually, significantly cutting carbon emissions in steelmaking.
- Arqum
Arqum - Arqum is a German energy efficiency consulting company. It provides technical support for the Sino-German energy efficiency and low-carbon network cooperation pilot project in Taicang High-tech Zone, Jiangsu, China. This project connects German companies in the region to share experiences and resources in energy saving and carbon reduction.
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What Happened When
- 2011：
- After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, Germany shut down a number of its aging nuclear power plants and the Bundestag voted to phase out nuclear energy.
- 2015：
- Nuclear power accounted for over 14% of Germany’s energy mix.
- 2015：
- The International Forum on Energy Transition (IFET) began to be held annually in Suzhou, co-organized by China’s NEA, Jiangsu Provincial Government, and IRENA.
- 2016：
- China and Germany established a strategic partnership on energy cooperation.
- By April 2023：
- Germany completed the closure of its last three nuclear power plants.
- March 2023：
- Zhang Jianhua, Director of China’s NEA, led a delegation to Germany, attended the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, and delivered a speech.
- March 2023：
- Electricity prices in Germany began trending downward after 2022 surges.
- April 2023：
- Germany’s last operational nuclear power plants ceased operation, with the gap in power filled by solar and wind energy.
- 2023：
- For the first time, renewable energy accounted for more than 50% of Germany's electricity consumption, reaching 55%.
- 2023：
- Wind power’s share of Germany’s electricity consumption exceeded 30%, and solar energy reached 12.1%.
- 2023：
- Coal accounted for 26% of Germany’s total electricity consumption.
- 2023：
- Germany's average wholesale electricity price dropped to €95.2/MWh, less than half of 2022's average.
- September 2023：
- At a pilot program results summary meeting, Taicang High-tech Zone reported achievements in energy-saving and low-carbon improvements.
- October 2023：
- The European Union announced an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.
- October 2023：
- European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stated that the Chinese electric vehicles market share in Europe increased from 1% to 8% over the past 2-3 years.
- April 3, 2024：
- The European Commission announced an anti-subsidy investigation into Romanian solar projects of Chinese companies Longi Green Energy and Shanghai Electric Group.
- April 9, 2024：
- Margrethe Vestager, European Commission Executive Vice President, confirmed a pending investigation into Chinese wind turbine suppliers.
- February 2025：
- The German government agreed to provide €16 billion in subsidies for gas-fired power stations convertible to hydrogen.
- Spring 2025：
- Construction scheduled to begin on an 18-story DGNB-standard building in Jintan Economic Development Zone, Changzhou.
- Mid-March 2025：
- Simone Peter declared at the Berlin Forum that Germany is ready to become a global leader in clean energy transition.
- March 19-20, 2025：
- The 10th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (Berlin Forum) was held in Berlin.
- March 26, 2025：
- Zheng Shanjie and Robert Habeck held a video conference, launching the China-Germany Intergovernmental Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism on Climate Change and Green Transition.
- April 12, 2025：
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced German Chancellor Olaf Scholz would visit China April 14–16, 2025.
- April 14-16, 2025：
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to pay an official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.
- 2025：
- Both the European Union and the United States scheduled key elections.
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