‘Renewable energy costs delay transition’

Friday 27 September 2024

A recent survey conducted in Germany has shed light on a concerning issue – the high cost of renewable energy is posing a threat to the acceptance of the energy transition in the country.

According to research carried out by the opinion research institute Civey, in collaboration with E.ON, a significant proportion of Germans are apprehensive about the rising costs of renewables hindering the progress of the energy transition. Out of the 2,500 individuals surveyed, a staggering 72 per cent expressed their belief that these escalating costs are jeopardising the overall acceptance of the transition.

Interestingly, this sentiment is particularly strong in regions such as Thuringia (78 per cent), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (77 per cent), Saxony-Anhalt (76 per cent), and Saarland (75 per cent).

The study also brings to light an important observation – that citizens are willing to continue investing in solar systems regardless of the current form of subsidisation in place.

In fact, the survey revealed that half (51 per cent) of homeowners in Germany who do not already have a PV system would opt against installing one if state subsidies were to be abolished. This emphasises the significant role that subsidies play in incentivising renewable energy adoption.

Lars Rosumek, the Head of Corporate Communications & Policy at the E.ON Group, commented on the findings, stating: ‘Our study validates the importance of people’s perception of costs in determining the acceptance of the energy transition as a whole. It is imperative for Germany to reconsider its approach to subsidising the energy transition. The time is ripe to reduce state subsidies in areas where they are no longer necessary, especially in the case of solar installations.’

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