1.3 Energy transition
Approach and status quo
In the public discussion about the Energy Transition,
often only the substitution of fossil-generated electricity with
electricity from renewable sources is taken into account. But, in order
to achieve climate neutrality as prescribed in the Paris Agreement, the
energy supply of all sectors must almost completely be
switched over to renewable energy sources - especially if CCS/CCU
technologies are not available or too expensive.
In
Germany, renewable energies currently contribute only about 19% to final
energy consumption (status 2020). Final energy consumption includes all
energy supplied to the end consumer for all energy uses, e.g. gasoline,
diesel or electricity. A look at the past shows that this share has
risen steadily in recent years. In 2005, the share of renewable energies
in Germany's total final energy consumption was barely over 7% and has
since risen year after year, as shown in the figure below.