Energiewende is built upon the position that the previous business as usual approach to energy is not sustainable and will cause economic and ecologic damage. The three pillars of Energiewende are renewable energy, energy efficiency and future grid. In the climate action front, Germany aims to reduce emissions by 80% to 90% from the 1990 level. Currently, renewable energy sources are the second biggest source of electricity after lignite. Among the renewable sources, onshore wind, solar PV, and biomass have been the strongest drivers of renewable energy growth over the past 10 years. So far, Energiewende efforts have resulted in energy dependence mitigation, reductions in energy import costs, welfare loss reductions, job creation, and technological achievements. As for private households, although electricity rates have increased, the renewable energy surcharge is only a small portion of that increase and the share of electricity in consumer spending remains constant.
