Renewable energy accounted for more than half of Germany’s electricity mix in 2020 with most Germans in favour of further expansion, according to a survey by the Renewable Energy Agency (AEE).
“A clear majority of Germans are even in favour of an even stronger expansion of renewable energies than before – and recognise the enormous opportunities for their expansion and the need for electricity grids for the local economy,” said Robert Brandt, AEE managing director.
For more than ten years, the AEE has been publishing a representative acceptance survey on the expansion of renewable energy.
Approval has always been around 90%. In the latest survey, conducted by the polling institute YouGov, almost nine out of 10 citizens (86%) are also in favour of greater use of renewable energy in Germany.
AEE’s survey found that building wind farms in forests is a controversial topic with more than half of those surveyed rejecting the idea.
Brandt said: “In view of the complex ecosystem of forests, special sensitivity is required.
“A nature-friendly use of wind energy in commercial forests with spruce or pine monocultures, which are used for management, is definitely possible.”
Brandt said overall there is still a “great deal of support” for the expansion of renewable energy among the population.
For the first time in the survey the question was asked whether respondents believed that the expansion of electricity grids and renewable energies strengthen the regional economy, with 57% agreeing.