SPIEGEL ONLINE
- June 04, 2013
A giant open-pit mining area near Cologne has already swallowed up 14 villages, but one police officer is fighting to protect his home. He has managed to bring his case before Germany's highest court, and its ruling could have major implications for the future of brown coal mining in Germany. By Dietmar Hipp and Barbara Schmid more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 29, 2013
As part of Germany's switch to renewables, industry has been exempt from paying higher prices associated with solar and wind energy. The European Commission, however, believes the practice distorts competition on the Continent. Huge penalties could be in store. By Frank Dohmen, Christoph Pauly and Gerald Traufetter more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 10, 2013
The dismantling of Germany's nuclear power plants will be one of the greatest tasks of the century as the country moves to phase out atomic energy. It will take at least until 2080 to complete the job. But what happens if energy utility companies who own the facilities go bust before the work is done? By Gerald Traufetter more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- May 07, 2013
German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded an international climate deal by 2015 on Monday. Yet at home, she has declined to push for badly needed fixes to Europe's ailing carbon cap-and-trade program. She is putting off the toughest decisions until after fall elections. By Joel Stonington more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 03, 2013
The ambitious Desertec plan to supply Europe with solar power from the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East seems to have stalled. It could now be facing even greater problems as competitors arise and local opposition mounts. By Nicolai Kwasniewski more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 18, 2013
As prices for carbon emissions continue to languish, Berlin is planning to cancel some key subsidy programs aimed at increasing reliance on renewable energies. Germany and other European countries seem uninterested in fixing the problem. more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 12, 2013
The German government is carrying out a rapid expansion of renewable energies like wind, solar and biogas, yet the process is taking a toll on nature conservation. The issue is causing a rift in the environmental movement, pitting "green energy" supporters against ecologists. By SPIEGEL Staff more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 12, 2013
Looking for new growth markets, executives at German electrical utility company E.on saw what they thought could be a golden opportunity in Brazil. Now their local partner is threatened with major financial problems and the joint venture MPX may face billions in potential losses. By Frank Dohmen more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 08, 2013
The debt crisis is finally catching up with wind energy, once a fast-growing sector in Europe. After more than a decade of double-digit growth, austerity, rapidly changing energy policies and skittish investors are putting a damper on the industry. By Joel Stonington in Vienna more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 29, 2013
Environment Minister Peter Altmaier wants to limit the cost of Germany's green energy revolution by capping subsidies for renewable energy. The plan, aimed at halting a recent surge in electricity prices, faces likely rejection from a political opposition that views the move as a clever ploy to win votes in the next election. By SPIEGEL ONLINE Staff more...
