Germany Prepares Law to Switch to 100% Renewable Energy by 2035

This law makes Germany the first G7 country to implement 100% clean energy by 2035. 

In the middle of Russia's war against Ukraine, Germany recognizes that the clean energy transition is not only suitable for a safe climate, but also for short-term national security. The government agreed on a law for 100% renewable energy by 2035. 

Europe's largest economy is pushing forward five years to phase out fossil fuels in electricity generation. The updated Renewable Energy Sources Law stipulates that 80% of the electricity consumed in Germany by 2030 and 100% by 2035 will be supplied from renewable sources. 

With this new target, Germany is in line with the International Energy Agency's 2050 roadmap, which recommends OECD countries achieve net zero emissions in electricity generation by 2035. This makes Germany the first G7 country to implement 100% clean energy by 2035. Canada, the UK and the US have similar targets. Still, they lag behind renewable energy champions such as Uruguay, which has almost 100% of renewable energy's share of electricity generation, and Kenya, which has more than 90%. 

The draft bill adopts the principle that “the use of renewable energies is above all in the public interest and serves public safety”. Accelerating growth in renewable energy is seen as a key element in making the country less dependent on Russian fossil fuel sources and enhancing national and European security. The new 2030 targets include doubling Germany's onshore wind capacity to 110 GW, tripling solar power to 200 GW and increasing offshore wind power to 30 GW.