Wolfgang Mössinger: Germany is now looking beyond nuclear

In Germany, there has been no doubt for some years that nuclear power is only a "bridging technology". The new strategy is merely an acceleration of this understanding. It will ensure that the three main goals of energy policy are met: environmental compatibility, so that Germany can meet its climate mitigation targets; secure energy supplies, to ensure that Germany remains an attractive place to do business; affordability, so that the cost of power does not become prohibitive.

The main elements of the new strategy include the irreversible switching off of all nuclear plants by 2022, thus meeting a consensus within German society. Now that dates have been set, operators have the security they need to make decisions on investments, undisrupted by endless debate.

By 2020 renewables are to account for a minimum of 35 per cent of electricity consumption in Germany (now 17 per cent). There will be new high-voltage lines, to aid, for example, north-south transport, alongside new intelligent networks and storage systems. The time needed to plan and build power lines will be cut from an average of ten to four years.

Energy saving is also to be encouraged, especially in the transport and building sector, where 70 per cent of primary energy is used.

As early as 2012, the government will invest €1.5 billion in renovating existing public buildings. The same sum will be allocated to helping home owners implement the necessary measures to make their homes energy efficient.

Anybody judging the new energy strategy should do it by considering the full package of measures that are now under parliamentary scrutiny in Germany and not just the phasing out of nuclear power.

• Wolfgang Mssinger is Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany