Press Release of November 26, 2014
Germany's energy transition envisages a shift toward energy being supplied primarily from renewable sources. The expansion of renewables is largely determined by central government policy but the German Länder also play a major role and could consequently make a significant contribution toward a successful energy transition. DIW Berlin recently conducted its fourth renewable energy ranking of the German Länder. The study is based on a total of 60 input and output indicators at the Länder level appraising , from a renewable energy use perspective, both the efforts and performance of energy and environmental policies as well as technology and economic policies. The overall evaluation puts Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the lead. Bavaria is the most progressive when it comes to the use of renewables, although wind energy potential is underexploited in this federal state. Baden-Württemberg stands out with its exemplary energy policy framework for the expansion of renewable energy. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has made the most advances with regard to technological and economic structural change.