Germany to phase out fossil fuels by 2045

On September 23, the German government published a plan to phase out fossil fuels by 2045. It was presented at the UN General Assembly by the Minister of Environment of Germany Karsten Schneider. Germany is the third major country after France and the Netherlands to adopt such a plan.

The plan envisages a gradual increase in the share of renewable energy in electricity generation from 55% to 80% by 2030. It is also planned to increase the capacity of wind power plants by 12 GW and bring the total capacity of solar power plants to 215 GW. Another point of the plan is the complete abandonment of coal-fired power plants by 2038 with a possible transfer to 2035. The document states that the use of fossil fuels will continue during the transition period.

Environmental groups have noted a positive change in the fact that countries previously promised to achieve abstract “carbon neutrality”, but now moved to more stringent plans to completely abandon fossil fuels. As noted by environmental activist and former special representative for climate policy in the German foreign Ministry Jennifer Morgan, “such a plan is only a starting line.” To achieve these goals, Germany will need to make more efforts to electrify transport and heating systems.

Jana Christmas