COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Energy Union Factsheet Germany Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK Third Report on the State of the Energy Union
Date: 2017-11-23
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Germany, climate change policy, competitiveness, economic and social cohesion, energy cooperation, energy policy, innovation, investment, regional cooperation, single market

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 23.11.2017 SWD(2017) 389 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Energy Union Factsheet Germany  Accompanying the document  COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK  Third Report on the State of the Energy Union  {COM(2017) 688 final} - {SWD(2017) 384 final} - {SWD(2017) 385 final} - {SWD(2017) 386 final} - {SWD(2017) 387 final} - {SWD(2017) 388 final} - {SWD(2017) 390 final} - {SWD(2017) 391 final} - {SWD(2017) 392 final} - {SWD(2017) 393 final} - {SWD(2017) 394 final} - {SWD(2017) 395 final} - {SWD(2017) 396 final} - {SWD(2017) 397 final} - {SWD(2017) 398 final} - {SWD(2017) 399 final} - {SWD(2017) 401 final} - {SWD(2017) 402 final} - {SWD(2017) 404 final} - {SWD(2017) 405 final} - {SWD(2017) 406 final} - {SWD(2017) 407 final} - {SWD(2017) 408 final} - {SWD(2017) 409 final} - {SWD(2017) 411 final} - {SWD(2017) 412 final} - {SWD(2017) 413 final} - {SWD(2017) 414 final}  
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

  Germany 

                           Energy Union factsheet1 

1.  Macro-economic implications of energy activities 

Energy and transport are key sectors for the overall functioning of the economy as they provide an 
important  input  and  service  to  the  other  sectors  of  the  economy.  Together,  the  activities  in  these 
two sectors2 accounted for about 6.3% of the total value added of Germany in 2015. Similarly, their 
share in total employment was 5.5% of total employment3 in 2015, of which 4.9% in the transport 
sector and 0.6% in the energy sector.  

The  decarbonisation  of  the  energy  and  transport  sectors  will  require  significant  investments  and 
economic  activity  beyond  the  remit  of  these  sectors  themselves.  The  energy  transition  implies  a 
structural  shift  in  economic  activity.  Energy-related  investment  and  jobs  will  in  part  migrate  from 
traditional  fossil  fuel  based  activities  towards  construction,  equipment  manufacturing  and  other 
services related to the deployment of low carbon and clean energy technologies. At the moment, the 
efforts related to the low-carbon and clean energy transition in sectors beyond energy can only be 
partially quantified and are therefore not included in this analysis. 

(Source: Eurostat) 

In the case of renewable energy, both the direct as well as the indirect effects on employment are 
being  estimated.  According  to  EurObserv'ER,  in  2015,  the  share  of  renewable  energy  related 

1   The indicators used in this country factsheet largely build on indicators developed for the Commission Staff 
Working  Document  "Monitoring  progress  towards  the  Energy  Union  objectives  –  key  indicators" 
(SWD(2017)  32 
final)  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/swd-energy-union-key-
indicators_en.pdf  

2   Gross value added and employment in NACE sectors D-Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 

and H-Transportation and storage 

3   National accounts, Eurostat 

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                              Energy Union – Germany   

employment  in  total  employment  was  at  about  0.84%  in  Germany,  well  above  the  EU  average  of 
0.54%. Employment is particularly high in wind, biomass and biogas industries but it is also significant 
in  solar  photovoltaic,  biofuels  and  heat  pumps  industries.  The  turnover  of  the  renewable  energy 
industry was estimated at around EUR 29.6 billion. About 40% are attributed to the wind industry, 
23.5% to biomass industry and more than 10% to the photovoltaic industry. 

(Source: EC based on EurObserv'Er and Eurostat) 

An indication of the level of undertaken efforts in the German energy sector is provided by the Gross 
fixed  capital  formation  (GFCF)4.  Investments  in  the  electricity  and  gas  sectors,  serving  as  reference 
sectors, have been relatively stable since 2008 at around 0.4%–0.5% of the country's GDP. However, 
these figures do not include the rising investment in renewable energies. Therefore, the shares may 
underestimate the actual investment in the energy sector as share of German GDP. 

(Source: Eurostat) 

In terms of trade balance, Germany is a net importer of fossil fuels and a net exporter of electricity. 
The  trade  deficit  in  energy  products  decreased  from  about  2.7%  of  GDP  in  2006  to  1.9%  in  2015, 

4 Gross fixed capital formation consists of resident producers´ acquisitions, less disposals, of fixed tangible or 
intangible assets. This covers, in particular, machinery and equipment, vehicles, dwellings and other buildings. It 
also includes foreign direct investment (FDI). Steam and air conditioning supply are also included in the figures 
mentioned above as Eurostat reports electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply together. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

influenced by improvements in energy efficiency, an increase of domestic renewable energy sources 
and  by  the  decrease  in  prices  of  energy  commodities.  The  largest  decrease  is  accounted  for  by 
petroleum products. The trade deficit for gas is on a decreasing trend after a peak in 2011/2012. It 
amounted to 0.65% of GDP in 2015, which was similar to the level in 2005.  

(Source: Eurostat) 

2.  Energy security, solidarity and trust 

2.1. Energy Mix 

In comparison to the average energy mix in the European Union, Germany's (DE) energy mix has a 
similar share of renewable energy (12% DE; 13% EU), of natural gas (20.5% DE; 22.0% EU) and of oil 
(33.7% DE;  34.4% EU). Solid fuels have a higher share in Germany (25.0% DE; 16.2% EU) partly due to 
domestic  lignite  reserves.  Nuclear  energy  accounts  for  a  lower  share  (7.4%  DE;  13.6%  EU)  in  the 
German energy mix, reflecting the nuclear phase out in Germany.  

 (Source: Eurostat) 

2.2. Import dependency and security of supply 

3 

 
  
 
     
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

61.9% of German energy consumption relies on imports, a value slightly higher than the EU average.  
There  was  an  increase  of  about  1.5  percentage  points  (p.p.)  in  overall  import  dependency  in 
Germany  between  2005  and  2015,  whilst  also  at  the  EU  level,  import  dependency  increased  by 
1.9p.p. over the same period. In 2015, Germany imported more than 90% of its natural gas, almost 
all  of  its  oil  needs,  and  approx.  88%  of  its  hard  coal  which  represents  a  considerable  increase 
compared to 2005.  

Russia accounted for 42.6% of natural gas imports in Germany. Russia is also the dominant non-EU 
supplier of crude oil (35.7%) and hard coal (27.0%) to Germany. In the areas of natural gas and crude 
oil, Russia is followed by Norway (21.5% for natural gas; 13.6% for crude oil). 

 (Source: Eurostat) 

The  Regulation  concerning  measures  to  safeguard  security  of  gas  supply  requires  that  if  the  single 
largest gas infrastructure fails in one Member State, the capacity of the remaining infrastructure has 
to  be  able  to  satisfy  total  gas  demand  during  a  day  of  exceptionally  high  gas  demand.  Germany 
complies with this rule. 

(Source: gas coordination group) 

3.  Internal market 

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                              Energy Union – Germany   

3.1. Interconnections and wholesale market functioning 

3.1.1.  Electricity 

 (Source: EC based on ENTSO-E scenario 
outlook and adequacy forecast 2014) 

(Sources:  EC  services  based  on  Eurostat  for  the  left  graph    and  based  on 
Platts and European power exchanges for the right graph) 

Between  2014  and  2017,  the  electricity  interconnection  level5  of  Germany  decreased  from  10%  to 
8.9% and hence is behind the 2020 target of 10%. Nevertheless, the country is on the path to reach 
the 10% target by 2020 through the completion of PCIs currently under way. 

The  concentration  of  the  power  generation  market  is  much  below  EU  average  in  Germany.  Also 
wholesale electricity prices are well below the EU average. A decrease higher than EU average (ca. 
16% DE; ca. 11% EU) was recorded between 2013 and 2015. This reflects a high level of competition 
at the wholesale level, though not always translated down to lower retail prices. 

Internal congestion in the German electricity transmission network remains a challenge both inside 
Germany  and  in  neighbouring  Member  States.  Considerable  effort  is  made  to  improve  internal 
networks, but delays in important projects are significant, in part due to political resistance.  Network 
congestion  requires  increasing  interventions  by  transmission  system  operators.  Additionally,  a 
system  of  reserve  has  been  introduced  to  temporarily  address  the  internal  congestion  until  the 
internal network is sufficiently developed. 

There  are  new  requirements  for  the  German  grid,  also  in  the  light  of  renewable  electricity 
generation.  Renewable  electricity  is  produced  and  owned  in  a  decentralised  way.  Major  offshore 
projects  planned  in  the  North  Sea  and  Baltic  Sea  are  expected  to  increase  the  need  for  grid 
management.  

Occasional  grid  congestion  arises  for  several  reasons,  such  as  the  simultaneous  feed-in  of 
conventional plants and high feed-in of renewable electricity (which leads to renewable generation 

5 The interconnectivity level is calculated as a ratio between import interconnection and net generation capacities 
of the country (i.e. the 2017 value is the ratio between simultaneous import interconnection capacity [GW] 
and net generating capacity [GW] in the country at 11 January 2017, 19:00 pm as resulted from ENTSO-E 
Winter Outlook 2016/2017) 

5 

 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Germany   

feeding in the transmission grid and not the distribution grid) or, on the consumer side, congestion 
due to sharp load increase. 

 The  recent  agreement  with  German  authorities  on  the  introduction  of  capacity  allocation  at  the 
border  to  Austria  can  provide  clarity  for  the  interim  period,  until  coordinated  regional  capacity 
calculation  within  a  European  legal  framework  is  finalised.  However,  bilateral  agreements  cannot 
replace  the  need  for  a  coordinated  regional  process  based  on  technical  power  system  constraints 
and involving competent regulatory authorities of all affected Member States. 

3.1.2.  Gas 

Wholesale  gas  prices  remain  slightly  below  average  EU  gas  prices.  The  market  concentration  for 
wholesale  gas  supply  is  lower  than  for  the  EU  average.  However,  from  2011  to  2015,  market 
concentration increased significantly (+76.8%). 

Domestic gas production has continuously declined in recent years (from 600 PJ in 2005 to 265 PJ in 
2015). 

(Source: ACER for the left graph and EC services based on Platts, gas hubs, Eurostat for the right graph) 

3.2. Retail electricity and gas markets for residential consumers 

Germany  was  one  of  the  most  competitive  gas  markets  for  household  consumers  in  2015.  The 
relative level of competition improved in Germany between 2014 and 2015 on the gas and electricity 
markets. 

3.2.1.  Electricity 

In 2016, households' electricity prices in Germany were higher than the EU average. This can partially 
be  explained  by  a  comparably  higher  share  of  taxes  and  levies  in  Germany  compared  to  the  EU 
average. Between 2013 and 2016, average band retail electricity prices for households only increased 
to  a  very  low  extent.  However,  falling  wholesale  prices  for  electricity  did  merely  affect  retail 
electricity prices for households.  

There is no widespread deployment of smart meters, but there is a relatively high annual switching 
rate by consumers from one electricity supplier to another due to a well-functioning retail market. 

6 

 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

(Source: ACER) 

(Source: Eurostat) 

(Source: Eurostat) 

3.2.2.  Gas 

Household gas prices in 2016 in Germany were at EU average. The share of taxes and levies on gas is 
approximately  at  EU  average  and  is  significantly  lower  than  the  share  of  taxes  and  levies  on 
electricity.  The  annual  switching  rate  is  higher  than  the  EU  average  and  displays  an  increasing 
tendency. 

 (Source: ACER) 

(Source: Eurostat) 

(Source: Eurostat) 

3.2.3.  Market performance indicators 

From 2010 until 2015, the energy market performance indicator (MPI) increased from approximately 
EU average to values above EU average. This indicates a good market performance both for retail gas 
and  electricity  services,  according  to  consumers.  The  MPI  takes  into  account  five  key  aspects  of 
consumer experience: comparability, trust, problems & detriment, expectations and choice. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

(Source: DG JUST survey) 

3.3. Energy affordability  

In Germany, the share of energy expenditure in total household expenditures of the lowest quintile 
of population is on EU-average. This share increased in Germany from 7.4% in 2004 to 8.4% in 2014. 
Compared  to  the  EU  average,  a  smaller  part  (up  to  12.7%)  of  citizens  below  the  at-risk-of  poverty 
threshold consider that they are unable to keep their home adequately warm. 

 (Source: ad-hoc data collection of DG ENER based on HBS with the support of Eurostat and national statistics) 

4.  Energy efficiency and moderation of demand 

The German Federal Government decided to implement a National Action Plan on Energy Efficiency 
(NAPE).  The  NAPE  comprises  20  immediate  measures;  and  a  set  of  long-term  work  processes.  The 
plan has three pillars: 

1)  Stepping up energy efficiency in buildings. The NAPE strengthens existing measures like the 
CO2  Building  Modernisation  Programme,  administered  by  the  German  development  bank 
KfW. This follows a long-term energy efficiency strategy for buildings aiming on pathways to 
achieve a climate-neutral building stock by 2050; 

2)  Strengthening  the  market  for  energy  efficiency  services.  The  NAPE  strengthens  public 
guarantees  for  energy  performance  contracting.  A  new  competitive  tendering  scheme  for 
energy efficiency measures aims at activating measures with the best cost-benefit ratio. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

3)  Individual responsibility for energy efficiency. High-quality energy consulting services are key 
to put consumers in a position to make informed decisions about their energy consumption. 
Together  with  20  industry  and  business  associations,  the  Federal  Government  aims  at 
initiating 500 energy efficiency business networks until 2020. 

Next to the NAPE, the Federal Government put together a package of financial incentives to improve 
the efficiency of heating systems, to support the utilisation of waste heat in the industry, as well as 
new energy efficiency measures at municipal level and in rail transport. 

The  NAPE  and  the  German  efficiency  policy  are  reviewed  on  a  continuous  basis.  For  this  purpose, 
Germany  has  launched  the  “green  paper”  process,  aiming  at  establishing  the  “efficiency  first” 
principle, and it has organised a wide stakeholder consultation. 

Since 2005, Germany decreased its primary energy consumption by 7.7% to 293 Mtoe in 2015. Over 
the same period, final energy consumption decreased by 2.9% to 212 Mtoe in 2015. Germany needs 
to continue efforts in order to reach the 2020 national targets for energy efficiency (276.6 Mtoe in 
primary energy consumption and 194.3 Mtoe in final energy consumption). 

(Source: Eurostat) 

Primary energy intensity decreased over the period 2005–2015 in parallel to the EU average, while 
remaining  slightly  below  EU  average.  A  detailed  sectoral  assessment  illustrates  these  trends:  the 
energy  intensity  of  Germany's  industry  is  still  well  below  EU  average,  but  has  lost  some  of  its 
advance. In the services sector, the German energy intensity is higher than the EU average, while the 
final energy consumption of households per square meter is slightly above EU average. 

9 

 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

(Source: Eurostat) 

(Source: Eurostat) 

  (Source: Odyssee database) 

In  2015,  the  transport,  industry  and  the  residential  sector  each  accounted  for  25%  to  30%  of  total 
final  energy  consumption,  which  is  similar  to  the  EU  average.  The  services  sector  accounts  for  the 
remaining 16.4%, slightly higher than the EU average at 13.6%. 

(Source: Eurostat) 

From  2005  to  2015  in  Germany,  the  final  energy  consumption  in  transport  recorded  an  average 
annual  increase  of  0.1%,  lower  than  the  1.4%  average  annual  GDP  growth.  Compared  to  rising 
passengers  and  freight  transport  activity  (increasing  respectively  by  8.4%  and  13.7%  with  aviation 
excluded) during the period 2005 to 2015, the increase of energy consumption is less pronounced. 

(Source: Eurostat) 

(Source: Eurostat and DG MOVE pocketbook) 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

Between  2005  and  2015,  the  share  of  collective  transport  modes  in  all  passengers'  transport  has 
remained stable in Germany while the EU average is slightly rising.  

(Source: Eurostat) 

On  3  August  2016,  the  German  Government  adopted  its  new  federal  transport  infrastructure  plan 
(Bundesverkehrswegeplan  2030)  for  the  intended  investment  until  2030.  The  plan  serves  as  a  key 
planning  tool  and  sets  the  framework  for  investments  into  maintenance,  upgrade  and  new 
construction of road, rail and waterway infrastructure. The plan foresees investments with a volume 
of EUR 269.6 billion, a large increase of nearly EUR 100bn compared to its predecessor, and contains 
more  than  1,000  projects.  In  contrast  to  earlier  versions,  the  bulk  of  investments  will  go  into 
maintenance and replacement of existing infrastructure rather than into new construction.  

Besides  the  more  traditional  goals  of  ensuring  passenger  and  freight  mobility, 
increasing 
competitiveness  of  businesses,  transport  safety,  emission  reduction,  limiting  land  use  for  transport 
purposes and improving living conditions in urban areas and regions (i.e. noise reduction), the plan 
also  sets  the  ground  for  future  developments  in  the  transport  sector.  In  this  regard,  it  will  help 
facilitating  the  digitalisation  of  the  transport  sector  by  laying  the  ground  for  the  introduction  of 
intelligent transport systems and connected driving in road transport or river information systems in 
waterway transport.  

Furthermore,  under  the  heading  sustainable  and  secure  mobility  the    Federal  Government  aims  at 
helping to promote the electrification of the sector (using renewable energy sources) by supporting 
e-mobility and the build-up of the corresponding fuelling and recharging infrastructures. 

5.  Decarbonisation of the economy 

5.1. GHG emissions 

In November 2016, the German Government adopted the Climate Action Plan 2050 which will also 
contribute  to  lowering  the  final  energy  consumption  in  transport.  In  2016,  GHG  emissions  in 
Germany  were  26.4%  below  their  1990  levels,  a  higher  decrease  compared  to  the  EU  average  of  -
22.6%. Preliminary  data  indicates  that  Germany  reaches  its  ESD  target for  2016  by  a  small  margin. 
However, projections indicate that Germany will exceed its 2020 ESD target by 3.3 percentage points. 

11 

 
 
 
 
       
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

(Source: EC and EEA)   

According to  2016 European Environment Agency  (EEA) estimates, the GHG intensity of  Germany's 
economy was slightly above the EU average, continuously decreasing since 1990. In 2016, the GHG 
emissions per capita in Germany were approx. 30% above the EU average, decreasing from around 
33% above the EU average in 1990. 

In 2015 in Germany, the largest sector in terms of GHG emissions was the energy sector (38.4% of 
the  total  GHG  emissions),  followed  by  industry  (20.9%),  transport  (17.8%)  and  residential  & 
commercial  (13.4%).  In  relative  terms,  GHG  emissions  from  energy/power  industry,  industry,  and 
residential & commercial sectors of Germany were above EU average (i.e. 38.4% vs 30.9%, 20.9% vs 
19.9%, and 13.4% vs 12.8% respectively).  

(Source: EC and EEA)   

Preliminary accounts under the Kyoto Protocol for Germany show overall removals of -38.3 Mt CO2-
eq. as an annual average in the period 2013-2015. For comparison, the annual average of the EU-28 
accounted  for  removals  of  -119.0  Mt  CO2-eq.  It  should  be  noted  that  in  this  preliminary  simulated 
accounting exercise, removals from Forest Management did by far not exceed the accounting cap.  

Of highest importance are removals by Forest Management, followed by removals by Afforestation. 
The impact of activities such as removals by Grassland Management and emissions by Deforestation 

12 

 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

and  Cropland  Management  are  comparatively  small.  Overall,  there  is  a  slightly  increasing  trend  in 
removals due to a combination of various activities. Removals by Forest Management, Afforestation 
and Grassland Management increased while emissions by Deforestation and Cropland Management 
remained nearly constant over the course of the three-year period.  

Note: Forest Management credits are capped and presented as yearly averages when the total Forest 
Management credits of the considered period exceed the simulated cap over the same period. 
(source: EC and EEA) 

 CO2 emissions in transport and alternative vehicles 

In Germany, CO2 emissions from road-based transport were almost at the same level in 2015 as in 
1990,  but  the  relative  share  of  emissions  coming  from  trucks  and  buses  increased  compared  to 
emissions from cars and vans.  The reduction of CO2 emissions from cars is partly due to a reduction 
of  CO2  emissions  from  new  passenger  cars  sold  from  2005  onwards,  at  a  rate  similar  to  the  EU 
average (i.e. 27% less from 2005 to 2016). Nevertheless, average CO2 emissions of new cars sold in 
Germany  in  2016  were  above  EU  average.  It  should  be  noted  that  these  figures  refer  to  test  cycle 
CO2-performance (not real-world CO2-performance) of new vehicles. 

(Source: European Environment Agency) 

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                              Energy Union – Germany   

The share of alternative fuel cars in total sales on the German market is marginal (i.e. below 1% in 
2015);  yet  it  increased  slowly  from  2013  onwards.  In  2015,  0.74%  of  new  cars  in  Germany  were 
hybrid-electric and electric. 

The  number  of  electric  charging  points  in  Germany  increased  significantly  from  2013  to  2016.  The 
largest increase was observed between 2015 and 2016, when the number of charging points reached 
17 953. 

(European Environment Agency)  

      (European Alternative Fuels Observatory) 

National Policy Frameworks under Directive 2014/94/EU on alternative fuels infrastructure have to 
establish targets, objective and measures for the development of the market of alternative fuels in 
the  transport  sector  and  the  deployment  of  the  relevant  infrastructure.  Germany  submitted  its 
National Policy Framework as requested under article 3 of the Directive 2014/94/EU.  

A detailed assessment of the German National Policy Framework in terms of its compliance with the 
requirements  of  Directive  2014/94/EU  on  alternative  fuels  infrastructure,  its  contribution  to 
achievement  of  long-term  energy and  climate objectives  of  the  Union  and  coherence of  its  targets 
and objectives in terms of cross-border continuity has been published as part of the Communication 
on  Alternative  Fuels  Action  Plans  (COM(2017)652)  and   the  related  staff  working  document 
SWD(2017)365. 

5.2. Adaptation to climate change 

Germany  adopted  its  National  Adaptation  Strategy  (Deutsche  Anpassungsstrategie,  DAS)  in  2008, 
which  presents  an  overview  of  effects  of  climate  change,  following  a  sectoral  and  a  geographic 
approach  respectively.  The  German  Action  Plan 
(Aktionsplan  Anpassung  der  Deutschen 
Anpassungsstrategie, APA), operationalises the actions mentioned in  DAS and was adopted in 2011. 
The  APA  follows  a  sectoral  approach  and  identifies  the  following  key  sectors:  human  health, 
buildings, water regime, water management, coastal and marine protection, soil, biological diversity, 
agriculture,  forestry  and  forest  management,  fishery,  energy  industry,  financial  services  industry, 
transport  and  transport  infrastructure,  trade  and  industry,  tourism.  Progress  on  adaptation  was 
reported for the first time in a Monitoring report in 2015 and is planned to be repeated every four 
years. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

5.3. Taxes on energy and transport and fossil fuel subsidies 

In Germany, the tax burden on energy and transport taxation amounts to 2.0% in 2014, nearly 0.4 
p.p. lower than the average in the EU. This relative gap has increased since 2007, when it was 0.1 p.p. 
lower than the EU average. The tax burden on transport fuels has decreased since 2007, while the 
tax burden has remained broadly stable for heat and electricity as well as for vehicles. Germany has 
no  CO2  component  in  the  taxation  of  energy  products,  but  the  circulation  tax  for  vehicles  is  partly 
based on CO2 emissions.  

 (Source: Eurostat) 

Financial  support  for  fossil  fuels  has  been  stable  in  Germany  over  the  past  decade.  The  most 
important measure was the government’s financial assistance to the uneconomic hard-coal industry 
for closing down its mines. 

(Source: OECD) 

5.4. Renewable energy  

On  renewable  energy  in  general,  Germany  is  on  track  in  attaining  its  renewable  energy  target  for 
2020. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

Germany was above the 2013/2014 and 2015/2016 indicative trajectory for RES share in gross final 
energy  consumption;  with  a  14.6%  share  in  2015  Germany  is  still  3.4  p.p.  below  its  2020  target  of 
18%  of  final  energy  consumption  set  under  the  Renewable  Energy  Directive.  Germany  is  (together 
with  Spain)  one  of  the  largest  contributors  to  onshore  wind  deployment  in  Europe;  with  several 
flagship projects. Regarding offshore wind, Germany was above the anticipated trajectory in 2015. 

Germany's renewable energy share in transport was fluctuating over the years, not following a linear 
trajectory.  The  highest  share  of  7.5%  was  reached  in  2007  and  in  2011  respectively,  decreasing  to 
6.8%  in 2015  and  thereby  staying below  the 10%  target for  2020.  Germany  ranks  among  the main 
consumers of biodiesel and bioethanol in Europe. 

The renewable energy share in Germany was 12.9% in 2015 the heating and cooling sector and about 
31% in electricity generation.  

 (Source: Eurostat-SHARES) 

(Source: Eurostat-SHARES) 

In  Germany,  electricity  generation  from  renewable  sources  is  supported  by  the  renewable  energy 
sources act (Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz, EEG 2017). Most generation capacities receive a (floating) 
market  premium;  in  addition  to  the  revenue  generated  at  the  electricity  market.  For  most  new 
installations,  the  award  and  the  level  of  the  market  premium  is  determined  through  a  tendering 
scheme. Small power plants up to 100 kW are exempted from the tendering process. They are still 
supported  by  a  feed-in  tariff.  The  criteria  for  eligibility  and  the  tariff  levels  are  set  out  in  the 
renewable energy sources act. 

A greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction quota (on fuel suppliers) is in place, which can be fulfilled, inter 
alia, through the use of biofuels. 

16 

 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

Due  to  a  consistent  deployment  of  renewables  since  2005,  it  is  estimated  that  in  2015  Germany 
avoided about 11.7% of fossil fuel in gross inland consumption and about 11.9% of GHG emissions at 
national level6. 

 (Source: EEA) 

5.5. Contribution of the Energy Union to better air quality 

Air quality in Germany is a continuous cause for concern. For 2013, the EEA estimated that about 73 
400 premature deaths were attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and over 
10,610 attributable to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations7.  

For particulate matter (PM10) and NO2, Germany reported exceedances of the binding EU air quality 
standards8. For 2015, Germany reported exceedances of the limit value for PM10 in 3 out of 86 air 
quality zones, while exceedances of the limit value for NO2 were reported in 50 out of 89 zones9. 

6   Avoided  GHG  emissions  mentioned  here  have  a  theoretical  character  as  these  contributions  do  not 
necessarily  represent  'net  GHG  savings  per  se'  nor  are  they  based  on  life-cycle  assessment  or  full  carbon 
accounting. 

7   European  Environment  Agency,  2016,  Air  Quality  in  Europe  –  2016  Report,  table  10.2.  The  report  also 

includes details as regards the underpinning methodology for calculating premature deaths.    

8   Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality 

and cleaner air for Europe, OJ L 152, 11.6.2008, p.1-44 

9  Compliance  data  as  reported  by  the  Member  States  as  part  of  their  official  annual  air  quality  report  for  the 
calender year 2015 (available on the European Environment Agency's (EEA) Eionet/Central Data Repository), 
http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/de/eu/aqd  

17 

 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Germany   

(Source: EEA) 

The  health-related  external  costs  from  air  pollution  in  Germany  have  been  estimated  to  be  more 
than  EUR  58  billion/year  (income  adjusted,  2010),  which  includes  the  intrinsic  value  of  living  a 
healthy life without premature death as well as the direct costs to the economy such as healthcare 
costs and lost working days due to sickness caused by air pollution10. 

The  Energy  Union  can  substantially  contribute  to  address  air  quality  problems  through  measures 
reducing emissions of both GHG and air pollutants such as PM and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from major 
contributing  sectors  such  as  (road)  transport,  energy  production,  industry  and  residential  heating 
(e.g. stoves and boilers) as shown in the figure below11. 

(Source: EEA. This table reflects only sources of primary PM2,5 emissions.) 

10 See also the EU Environmental Implementation Review Country Report for Germany, SWD(2017)38 final of 
3.2.2017 
11 National emission data as reported by the Member States to the EEA (available on the EEA's Eionet/Central 
Data Repository), http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/de/eu/nec_revised 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Germany   

 Research, innovation and competitiveness  

5.6. 

Research and innovation policy 

The  Federal  Government  has  focused  its  funding  for  energy  research  and  development  on 
technologies  supporting  the  low-carbon  energy  transition,  particularly  solutions  in  the  areas  of 
energy  efficiency,  energy  conservation,  renewable  energy  and  supply  systems  (including  storage, 
grids  and  ancillary  system  services  through  renewable  energy  as  well  as  integrated  energy 
approaches).  

The 6th German Energy Research Programme builds on close cooperation of three Federal Ministries 
(Education  and  Research,  Economic  Affairs  and  Energy,  and  Food  and  Agriculture).  Funding 
programmes focus on the two main pillars of the 6th Energy Research Programme: renewable energy 
technologies and energy efficiency. Areas of highest priority for research and innovation (R&I) within 
the  field  of  renewable  energy  technologies  are:  (a)  photovoltaics,  (b)  wind  power,  (c)  storage 
technologies  and  (d)  integration  of  power,  heat  and  mobility  sectors.    Priority  areas  in  the  field  of 
energy efficiency are (a) industry, trade and services and (b) buildings (a new funding initiative called 
'Solar Buildings/Energy-Efficient Cities' has been initiated in this area). 

In  2016,  the  Federal  Ministry  of  Education  and  Research  started  the  funding  initiative  'Kopernikus 
Projects for the Energy Transition' to create a holistic R&I framework for the energy transition. The 
initiative  has  a  duration  of  ten years.  Large  consortia  consisting  of  260  institutions  from academia, 
industry and civil society organisations will work together on these projects to develop technological 
solutions  for  the  transformation  of  the  energy  system.  Kopernikus  projects  focus  on  four  topics: 
Future grid structures, Power-to-X (to heat, transport fuels, and chemical base materials), Industrial 
processes and Energy systems integration.  

Other  recent  flagship  initiatives  for  energy  R&I  are  the  funding  initiative  'Energiewende  in  the 
transport  sector:  sector  coupling  through  the  use  of  electricity-based  fuels'  (initiated  in  February 
2017),  the  project  'Carbon2Chem'  (focusing  on  the  concept  of  carbon  capture  and  utilisation),  and 
the  aforementioned  'Solar  Construction/Energy-Efficient  City'  initiative.  Furthermore,  since  2014, 
research  networks  were  funded  in  important  subject  areas  with  the  objectives  of  promoting 
participation and transparency in energy research, acceleration of the transfer of results in practice, 
and quality assurance. These are currently being further developed and expanded. 

Currently a new energy research program is in preparation. Central points are system optimisation, 
the use of synergies, digitalisation, sector coupling and an accelerated transfer of results to practice, 
e.g.  through  stronger  inclusions  of  new  actors  like  start-ups  and  strengthening  the  networking 
activities. 

Germany is also an active contributor to the ongoing work of the Strategic Energy Technologies (SET) 
Plan. It participates in all the temporary working groups for the implementation of the integrated SET 
Plan,  leading  the  one  on  photovoltaics  and  the  one  on  energy  efficiency  in  buildings/renewable 
heating and cooling. The German Federal Government also supports European research cooperation 
through additional bilateral commitments. Energy research is an important topic in this respect, and 
collaborations already exist with France, Finland, Switzerland, Austria and Greece.  

19 

 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

Regarding the Horizon 2020 programme, Germany has so far received 17.2% of the EU contribution 
devoted  to  the  'secure,  clean  and  efficient  energy'  part  of  the  programme.  As  of  September  2017, 
555 participations from German organisations have been awarded EUR 312 million in Horizon 2020 
energy  projects.  This  includes  a  grant  of  EUR  12.5  million  to  Siemens  for  its  participation  in  the 
project  PROMOTION  (offshore  transmission  networks),  and  four  grants  totalling  almost  EUR  23 
million to German beneficiaries participating in project PACE (residential fuel cell combined heat and 
power installations). 

Germany is a founding member of Mission Innovation12. As a result, it has committed to doubling its 
federal funding to clean energy R&I, from the baseline level of EUR 450 million to more than EUR 900 
Million by 2020 for funding programmes which qualify under the objectives of Mission Innovation. 

5.7. 

Investments and patents in the Energy Union R&I priorities  

In  2016,  public  (national)  investments  in  the  Energy  Union  R&I  priorities  reached  EUR  853  million 
having increased by 2% compared to 2015. This was also the highest annual public investment in the 
period 2007-2016. The largest share of investments (25%) was attracted by the Nuclear Safety R&I 
priority of the Energy Union, followed by the Renewables and the Smart System priorities (24% and 
23%  respectively).  In  2014,  the  most  recent  year  for  which  data  for  most  Member  States  are 
available, public investment per GDP in Germany was similar to the EU average. 

Private investment in the Energy Union R&I priorities in 2013, estimated at EUR 7 351 million, ranked 
the  highest  among  the  EU  Member  States  (accounting  for  46%  of  the  private  R&I  investment  in 
Energy  Union  R&I  priorities  in  the  EU).  The  focus  was  on  Sustainable  Transport  (40%),  followed  by 
Efficient Systems (21%) and Renewables (20%).   

In 2013, the most recent year for which complete patent13 statistics are available, 752 companies and 
research organisations based in Germany filed 3 156 patents in low-carbon energy technologies. This 
is the highest among the EU Member States, accounting for 48% of the EU total. The focus was on 
Sustainable Transport (40%), followed by Efficient Systems and Renewables (21% each). 

In 2013, both private R&I investments and patents in Energy Union R&I priorities were higher than 
the  EU  average  when  normalised  by  GDP  and  by  population  respectively.  In  the  period  2007-2013 
both private R&I investments and the number of patents in Energy Union R&I priorities increased on 
average by 5% and 14% per year, displaying lower rates of increase compared to the EU indicators 
(6% and 15% respectively). 

12 http://mission-innovation.net/  
13   In  the  context  of  this  document,  the  term  'patent'  refers  to  patent  families,  rather  than  applications,  as  a 
measure  of  innovative  activity.  Patent  families  include  all documents  relevant to  a  distinct  invention (e.g. 
applications to multiple authorities), thus preventing multiple counting. A fraction of the family is allocated 
to each applicant and relevant technology. 

20 

 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Germany   

 Note:  The  international  comparison  (right)  is  shown  for  2014  (Germany  had  reported  EUR  799  million). 
Reporting at EU level for 2015 is not as complete, and very few countries have reported for 2016. 

(Data sources: Public investment as available in the International Energy Agency RD&D Statistics database14 for 
codes  relevant  to  Energy  Union  RIC  priorities.  Patent  data  based  on  the  European  Patent  Office  PATSTAT 
database15. Private investment as estimated by JRC SETIS. Detailed methodology available from the JRC16.) 

5.8. 

Competitiveness 

In 2014, the real unit energy costs (RUEC)17 in Germany (12.2% of value added) were slightly below  
EU average (15.3% of value added), well below those in Japan and China but almost two times more 
than  those  in  the  United  States  of  America.  The  electricity  prices  paid  by  industrial  customers  in 
Germany are above EU and OECD averages. Gas prices for industrial consumers are below the EU and 
OECD averages, leading to an increased industrial demand for gas in Germany. 

14 http://www.iea.org/statistics/RDDonlinedataservice/  
15 https://www.epo.org/searching-for-patents/business/patstat.html#tab1  
16 https://setis.ec.europa.eu/related-jrc-activities/jrc-setis-reports/monitoring-ri-low-carbon-energy-technologies  
17   This indicator measures the amount of money spent on energy sources needed to obtain one unit of value 

added. 

21 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Germany   

(Source: ECFIN) 

                   (Source: Eurostat and IEA) 

Regarding the competitiveness of its wind and solar energy, Germany is performing very well in the 
wind sector due to a comparative advantage18 in key components of the wind energy industry such 
as  generating  sets,  gearboxes  and  power  electronics.  Germany  is  also  performing  well  in  the  solar 
sector as indicated by the revealed comparative advantage indicator slightly above. This is due to a 
comparative  advantage  in  the  manufacturing  of  silicon  and  power  electronics.  The  relative  trade 
balance19 confirms the strong position of Germany in the wind sector and Germany is a net exporter 
of  wind  components.  However,  Germany  runs  a  trade  deficit  in  the  solar  sector  due  to  its  trade 
deficit in solar photovoltaic modules and cells, yet it performs better than the EU average. 

(Source: UN comtrade) 

18 The RCA index for product "i" is defined as follows: RCAi =

Xj,i
∑ Xj,i
i
Xw,i
∑ Xw,i
i

 where X is the value of exports, and j is 

the country and w is the reference group, the World economy. 2005 refers in the text to the indicator average 
over the 2000-2009 period, while 2015 represents the average over the 2010-2016 period. The same applies 
for the RTB indicator - see below. 

19 The RTB indicator for product "i" is defined as follows: 𝑅𝑇𝐵𝑖 =
exports and 𝑀𝑖 imports. 

𝑋𝑖−𝑀𝑖
𝑋𝑖+𝑀𝑖

 where 𝑋𝑖 is the value of product's "i" 

22 

 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Germany   

6.  Regional and local cooperation 

Germany  is  a  member  of  the  Pentalateral  Energy  Forum,  created  in  2005  by  Energy  Ministers  of 
Benelux,  Germany  and  France  (with  Switzerland  as  a  permanent  observer)  in  order  to  promote 
collaboration on cross-border exchange of electricity. Austria joined in 2011. The Pentalateral Energy 
Forum successfully implemented Flow-Based Market Coupling in 2015 on a voluntary basis, as first 
regional  cooperation  in  Europe.  Also  in  2015,  it  published  the  first  regional  generation  adequacy 
assessment in Europe. Inspired by that cooperation, the Pentalateral Gasplatform was established in 
2009. The Gasplatform brings together the Benelux, Germany and France ministries responsible for 
gas market and security of supply. 

Furthermore,  Germany  is  part  of  the  Baltic  Energy  Market  Interconnection  Plan  (BEMIP),  the  first 
High-Level  Group  launched  in  2009  by  the  Commission  and  Denmark,  Sweden,  Poland,  Finland, 
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany and Norway (observing status). BEMIP’s main objectives were to 
develop  an  internal  and  regional  energy  market  between  the  EU  Member  States  in  the  Baltic  Sea 
region  and  integrating  it  fully  into  the  EU's  energy  markets,  thus  increasing  security  of  supplies. 
BEMIP  projects  have  been  part  of  the  European  Economic  Recovery  Plan  (EERP)  and  the  Trans-
European  Energy  Networks  Programme.  BEMIP  projects  have  also  been  funded  through  the  EU's 
structural funds, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund 
(CF). Many infrastructure projects are supported through CEF co-funding amounting to 534.3 million 
Euro. In the framework of the societal challenge for secure, clean and efficient energy of the Horizon 
2020 programme, 16.9 million Euro is allocated to participants from the Baltics to stimulate research 
and innovation in this field. 

Germany  is  also  part  of  the  Northern  Seas  High-Level  Group,  established  through  a  political 
declaration  with  the  participating  countries  (Belgium,  Denmark,  France,  Germany, 
Ireland, 
Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  Sweden,  the  United  Kingdom  and  EEA  member  Norway)  and  the 
European Commission on 6 June 2016. 

Moreover,  in  July  2016,  Denmark  and  Germany  signed  a  cooperation  agreement  on  the  mutual 
opening of specific auctions for PV installations (joint action between Denmark and Germany). The 
agreement sets the framework for two pilot auction rounds to be held in Denmark and Germany in 
2016 allowing for cross-border participation of installations for the first time. Moreover, the German 
cabinet adopted the recast of the cross-border renewable energy regulation (Grenzüberschreitende-
Erneuerbaren-Energien  Verordnung;  GEEV).  According  to  the  recast  regulation,  5%  of  new 
renewables  capacity  installed  each  year  (ca.  300  megawatts)  will  be  opened  up  to  installations  in 
other EU Member States in auctions. 

In addition, Germany regularly organises meetings with its electricity neighbours to accompany and 
deliberate on the developments in the electricity sector. Electricity neighbours, i.e. states which have 
an  electricity  grid connection to  Germany,  are:  Austria,  Belgium, Czech  Republic, Denmark,  France, 
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland. 

The EU macro-regional strategies for the Baltic Sea Region, the Danube Region and the Alpine Region 
in which some of  the German  Länder  take part  can  be  used  as  a  basis  for regional  cooperation on 
energy.  European  Territorial  Cooperation  –  'Interreg'  –  under  EU  cohesion  policy  also  provides 

23 

 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

further opportunities for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, including in the 
Energy Union areas. 

Cities and urban areas have a key role in the energy and climate challenge. The Urban Agenda for the 
EU,  established  by  the  Pact  of  Amsterdam  in  May  2016,  better  involves  cities  in  the  design  and 
implementation of policies, including those related to the Energy Union. It is implemented through 
Partnerships, in which the Commission, Member States, cities and stakeholders work together on a 
number  of  important  areas,  including  on  Energy  Transition,  Urban  Mobility,  Air  Quality,  Climate 
Adaptation  and  Housing.  Germany  is  participating  in  the  partnerships  on  Urban  Mobility,  with  the 
city of Karlsruhe as co-coordinator, and Energy Transition, as member. 

At the2016 edition of the Covenant of Mayors, the sustainable energy action plans delivered by 57 
German  municipalities  had  been  assessed.  Overall,  the  57  municipalities  cover  approx.  15  million 
inhabitants  representing  ca.  18%  of  the  total  population 
in  Germany.  All  together,  these 
municipalities are committed to reducing GHG emissions by 34.1% until 2020 (as compared to 1990 
baseline).  

Average  GHG  emission  per  capita  in  Covenant  Baseline  Emission  Inventories  and  corresponding 
estimates by 2020 (Source: JRC) 

By September 2016, 15 German cities (covering 5.89 million inhabitants) have committed to conduct 
vulnerability and risk assessment and develop and implement adaptation plans in the framework of 
the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. 

7.  Cohesion policy and EU clean energy investments  

EU  cohesion  policy  makes  a  key  contribution  to  delivering  the  Energy  Union  objectives  on  the 
ground, including investment possibilities to implement energy policy objectives in Germany which 
are  complemented  by  national  public  and  private  co-financing,  aiming  at  optimal  leverage.  It  also 
ensures integrated territorial solutions to energy and climate challenges, supports capacity building 
and provides technical assistance. 

Over  2014-2020,  cohesion  policy  is  investing  some  EUR  1,662  million  in  energy  efficiency 
improvements  in public buildings  and  in enterprises,  as  well as  in high-efficiency  cogeneration  and 
district heating, renewable energy and innovative pilot projects on smart electricity distribution grids 
in  Germany.  Cohesion  policy  is  also  investing  significantly  in  R&I  and  in  SME  competitiveness  in 
Germany,  based  on  the  regional  strategies  for  smart  specialisation.  For  Germany,  many  strategies 
include  a  focus  on  low-carbon  technologies.  At  this  stage,  at  least  EUR  251  million  is  foreseen  for 
investments  in  R&I  and  adoption  of  low-carbon  technologies  in  Germany,  but  this  might  increase 
further in line with the evolving  content of  the smart  specialisation  strategies.  A  further  estimated 

24 

 
 
                              Energy Union – Germany   

EUR  555  million  is  invested  in  supporting  the  move  towards  an  energy-efficient,  decarbonised 
transport sector. 

(Source: DG REGIO) 

These investments are expected to contribute to a decrease of around 230,000,000 kWh per year of 
primary energy consumption of public buildings, as well as around 100 MW of additional capacity of 
renewable  energy production  and  1,000  additional  users  connected  to  smart grids.  Overall,  the EU 
cohesion policy investments in Germany over 2014-2020 are expected to contribute to an estimated 
annual decrease of GHG emissions of around 2,200,000 tonnes of CO2eq. 

For  example,  with  the  aim  of  being  independent  of  developments  in  the  volatile  gas  market  while 
providing citizens with secure energy to enhance the quality of life, the municipal energy supplier in 
the city of Schwerin started, at the end of November 2015, one of the biggest geothermic projects in 
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, using existing thermic brine for distant heating. The project will help 
the  city  to  fulfil  its  goal  to  become  CO2-neutral  by  2050.  The  contribution  from  the  European 
Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to EUR 9.2 million. 

As  another  example,  the  project  on  technology  transfer  on  innovative  energy  technologies  and 
energy  efficiency  for  SMEs  in  Ulm  started  in  autumn  2014  and  aims  at  bringing  closer  science  and 
SMEs. Through the core competence of innovative energy technologies, the science city Ulm makes 
an  important  contribution  to  improve  energy  efficiency  and  sustainable  energy  production  and 
consumption. The  contribution  from  the European  Regional  Development  Fund  (ERDF)  amounts  to 
EUR 184,258. 

Through  its  support  to  sustainable  transport  systems,  the  Connecting  Europe  Facility  (CEF)  also 
contributes to the goals of the Energy Union. Following German participation in the CEF – Transport 
2014–2015 Calls, the German action portfolio comprises 65 signed grant agreements, allocating EUR 
1,923.8  million  of  actual  CEF  Transport  Funding  to  German  beneficiaries  (state-of-play  February 
2017)20.  The  transport  mode  which  receives  the  highest  share  of  funding  is  rail  (85.5%  of  actual 
funding). The German rail actions focus on connecting maritime ports to the rail network, addressing 
both  national  and  cross-border  rail  bottlenecks,  and  the  deployment  and  implementation  of  the 
European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). In addition,  investments in multimodal logistic 

20 Note that European Economic Interest Groups and International Organisations are excluded from the analysis. 

25 

 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Germany   

platforms focus at the enhancement of the railway connections in ports. At the same time, actions 
within the freight transport services priority aim at increasing the market share of railway in sectors 
where just-in-time logistics is required. 

Another large share of the German portfolio corresponds to air actions, where Germany is involved 
in  both  mono-beneficiary  and  multi-beneficiary  actions  covering  both  studies  and  works.  All  the 
multi-beneficiary  actions  contribute  to  deploying  The  Single  European  Sky  ATM  Research  (SESAR) 
Pilot  Common  Projects.  The  mono-beneficiary  actions  include  the  deployment  of  Remote  Tower 
Control (RTC) concepts in Germany, as well as new radar technologies, with the scope of improving 
performance,  interoperability  and  modernisation.  Germany  is  also  participating  in  a  very  large  and 
ambitious  Inland  waterway  (IWW)  action,  River  Information  Services  Corridor  Management 
(COMEX), in which 13 countries have joint forces to improve cross-border cooperation with a view to 
achieving  a  service  for  navigation  corridors.  In  the  field  of  innovation  in  the  area  of  IWW,  German 
beneficiaries have been involved in actions related to a pilot deployment of LNG fuelled vessels and a 
pilot implementation of shore-side LNG stations.21  

21 Source: INEA 

26