Opinion poll
77 percent doubt whether the energy transition goals will be achieved
The expansion of renewable energies from wind and sun plays a key role in the energy transition. photo
© Jan Woitas/dpa
According to Chancellor Scholz, the share of renewable energies from sun and wind in electricity consumption should increase to 80 percent by 2030. However, there is great skepticism among the population, as a survey shows.
According to a new one, more and more people are harboring this feeling Survey doubts that Germany will achieve its self-imposed energy transition goals. 77 percent of those surveyed do not believe that at least 80 percent of electricity consumption in this country will be covered by renewable energies by 2030. This is shown by a survey published by the auditing and consulting company EY.
In a previous EY survey in May, 71 percent of participants were skeptical; in March it was 65 percent.
EY partner: Switching is difficult without the trust of the population
The partner and head of the energy and raw materials sector at EY, Andreas Siebel, said: “Despite all the political efforts, people are increasingly doubting the expansion targets for renewable energies.” The evaluation shows a clear trend that makes you think. “Without the trust of the population, it will be difficult to manage the transition to renewable energies for mobility, electricity and heat,” said Siebel, according to the statement.
The expansion of renewable energies from wind and sun plays a key role in the federal government’s strategy to achieve Germany’s climate protection goals and become more independent of fossil energies such as coal and gas. In the first half of 2023, the share of renewable energies in German electricity consumption was around 52 percent, according to calculations by associations. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) recently expressed his conviction that he would achieve the 80 percent target. He also referred to the sharp increase in the number of permits for solar and wind systems.
Security of supply important – pessimism in energy prices
When it comes to energy supply, security of supply is the top priority for a majority of survey participants – but the trend is decreasing. 54 percent of those surveyed were in favor of this; in the summer the proportion was 61 percent. In second place, at 27 percent, was environmental and climate protection, which gained slightly and moved ahead of cost-effectiveness in the prioritization. This ranks third with 20 percent.
When it comes to prioritization, price has become less important. However, only 29 percent of those surveyed assumed that energy prices would remain affordable in the future. Also 29 percent – and therefore less than a third – were of the opinion that politics significantly helps to cushion the cost burden of energy. At the height of the energy crisis in March it was 42 percent.
“Ecological aspects are becoming increasingly important again and people are increasingly trusting in a secure energy supply,” said Siebel. However, the population does not want to be left alone with the costs and expects more measures. EY interviewed around 1,000 people for the representative survey at the end of September.
Majority supports highway speed limit for climate protection
74 percent of survey participants support a general speed limit on German highways – if the limit helps achieve climate goals. According to 51 percent of those in favor of such a regulation, the maximum speed should not be less than 130 kilometers per hour. Only one in ten respondents was in favor of a speed limit of 100 km/h.