http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 19 May 2013 17:20:11 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 17:20:11 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/amid-more-delays-siemens-blames-government-agencies-and-suppliers-a-897798.html#ref=rss Due to a series of glitches, German electronics giant Siemens has once again been unable to deliver trains on time. Instead of assuming responsibility for the problems, management is trying to pin the blame on suppliers and government agencies. Fri, 03 May 2013 17:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/amid-more-delays-siemens-blames-government-agencies-and-suppliers-a-897798.html Due to a series of glitches, German electronics giant Siemens has once again been unable to deliver trains on time. Instead of assuming responsibility for the problems, management is trying to pin the blame on suppliers and government agencies.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-cancels-trio-of-climate-programs-amid-funding-shortfall-a-889483.html#ref=rss 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. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:33:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-cancels-trio-of-climate-programs-amid-funding-shortfall-a-889483.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renewable-energy-policy-takes-toll-on-nature-conservation-a-888094.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renewable-energy-policy-takes-toll-on-nature-conservation-a-888094.html 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.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/era-of-fast-growth-ends-for-wind-energy-in-europe-a-882357.html#ref=rss 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. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:38:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/era-of-fast-growth-ends-for-wind-energy-in-europe-a-882357.html 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. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-environment-ministry-plans-to-cap-subsidies-for-renewables-a-880301.html#ref=rss 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. Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:47:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-environment-ministry-plans-to-cap-subsidies-for-renewables-a-880301.html 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. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-to-exempt-1-550-firms-from-power-price-surcharge-a-874598.html#ref=rss Germany plans to exempt 1,550 large firms from a power price surcharge that covers part of the cost of switching to renewable energy. Critics say the list of exemptions is spurious and unfair to households and small businesses. It risks undermining faith in the government's switch to clean power. Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:38:19 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-to-exempt-1-550-firms-from-power-price-surcharge-a-874598.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/consumers-bear-brunt-of-german-switch-to-renewable-energies-a-861415.html#ref=rss Germany's switch to renewable energies is driving up electricity bills across the country, with a green technology surcharge set to rise by nearly 50 percent next year. With frustration over the high price tag, it promises to become a key issue in next year's election campaign. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:16:17 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/consumers-bear-brunt-of-german-switch-to-renewable-energies-a-861415.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/energy-turnaround-in-germany-plagued-by-worrying-lack-of-progress-a-860481.html#ref=rss Germany plans to abandon nuclear power by 2022, but its government hasn't been doing enough to ensure that the project succeeds. Needed infrastructure and technology is lacking, and coordination is a mess. Meanwhile, weary consumers are paying more for electricity, and the supply is in jeopardy. Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:06:27 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/energy-turnaround-in-germany-plagued-by-worrying-lack-of-progress-a-860481.html Germany plans to abandon nuclear power by 2022, but its government hasn't been doing enough to ensure that the project succeeds. Needed infrastructure and technology is lacking, and coordination is a mess. Meanwhile, weary consumers are paying more for electricity, and the supply is in jeopardy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-coal-fired-plants-could-be-key-to-german-energy-revolution-a-854335.html#ref=rss One of the biggest challenges of Germany's ambitious energy revolution is the fact that renewables such as wind and solar are subject to large fluctuations in output. Coal has long been considered their dirty alternative, but a new generation of power plants may herald a glowing future for the fossil fuel. Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:43:12 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-coal-fired-plants-could-be-key-to-german-energy-revolution-a-854335.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-offshore-wind-offensive-plagued-by-problems-a-852728.html#ref=rss Germany wants to pepper its northern seas with offshore wind turbines as part of its ambitious energy revolution. But strict laws, technology problems and multiple delays are turning the massive enterprise into an expensive fiasco. Investors and the public are losing patience. Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:34:45 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-offshore-wind-offensive-plagued-by-problems-a-852728.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-shipyards-see-future-in-wind-power-a-850368.html#ref=rss After years of decline, Germany's shipyards are now pinning their hopes on offshore wind farms, a key component of the country's energy revolution. Some have converted entirely to building equipment for wind farms. But the initial euphoria has worn off as the true challenges of the transition become clear. Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:58:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-shipyards-see-future-in-wind-power-a-850368.html After years of decline, Germany's shipyards are now pinning their hopes on offshore wind farms, a key component of the country's energy revolution. Some have converted entirely to building equipment for wind farms. But the initial euphoria has worn off as the true challenges of the transition become clear.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/problems-prompt-germany-to-rethink-energy-revolution-a-852815.html#ref=rss Germany's energy revolution is the government's only major project -- but the problems keep piling up. The pace of grid expansion is sluggish, and electricity costs for consumers are rising. The environment minister wants to fundamentally alter the way green energy is subsidized, but will it mean putting the brakes on the entire project? Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:24:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/problems-prompt-germany-to-rethink-energy-revolution-a-852815.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-addresses-problems-with-renewable-energy-subsidy-system-a-852549.html#ref=rss The share of renewable energies in Germany's power mix has shot up so high that the electricity grid and the subsidy framework has been unable to keep up. Now, the government wants to slow down the process. German commentators say that the current chaos endangers the entire project. Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:55:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-addresses-problems-with-renewable-energy-subsidy-system-a-852549.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/instability-in-power-grid-comes-at-high-cost-for-german-industry-a-850419.html#ref=rss Sudden fluctuations in Germany's power grid are causing major damage to a number of industrial companies. While many of them have responded by getting their own power generators and regulators to help minimize the risks, they warn that companies might be forced to leave if the government doesn't deal with the issues fast. Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/instability-in-power-grid-comes-at-high-cost-for-german-industry-a-850419.html Sudden fluctuations in Germany's power grid are causing major damage to a number of industrial companies. While many of them have responded by getting their own power generators and regulators to help minimize the risks, they warn that companies might be forced to leave if the government doesn't deal with the issues fast.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/doubts-increasing-about-germany-s-switch-to-renewable-energy-a-844844.html#ref=rss Germany's revolutionary switch to renewable energies is stalling and the country's new environment minister has now admitted as much by casting doubt on the ambitious goals set last year. Media commentators say that he and the rest of Chancellor Merkel's government must do more. Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:20:33 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/doubts-increasing-about-germany-s-switch-to-renewable-energy-a-844844.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ewe-wind-park-riffgat-caught-up-in-german-dutch-border-dispute-a-843419.html#ref=rss The German energy company EWE has begun construction on an offshore wind park in the North Sea, but Germany and the Netherlands can't agree on which side of the border it is on. It is one of Europe's last undefined frontiers and it is becoming a problem for the company. Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:50:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ewe-wind-park-riffgat-caught-up-in-german-dutch-border-dispute-a-843419.html The German energy company EWE has begun construction on an offshore wind park in the North Sea, but Germany and the Netherlands can't agree on which side of the border it is on. It is one of Europe's last undefined frontiers and it is becoming a problem for the company.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/rwe-s-new-ceo-terium-to-halt-nuclear-power-and-invest-in-renewables-a-841260.html#ref=rss Peter Terium takes over as CEO of RWE, Germany's second-largest energy producer, on July 1. In a SPIEGEL interview, he explained why he wants to halt nuclear power plant construction and invest in renewable energy instead. Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:56:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/rwe-s-new-ceo-terium-to-halt-nuclear-power-and-invest-in-renewables-a-841260.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-nuclear-phase-out-brings-unexpected-costs-to-consumers-a-837007.html#ref=rss The German government was quick to approve a phase-out of nuclear power in the country after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Now the costs of moving toward renewable energy are just being realized, and low-income consumers are paying the price. Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:17:58 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-nuclear-phase-out-brings-unexpected-costs-to-consumers-a-837007.html The German government was quick to approve a phase-out of nuclear power in the country after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Now the costs of moving toward renewable energy are just being realized, and low-income consumers are paying the price.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-environment-minister-discusses-fresh-start-in-energy-revolution-a-837012.html#ref=rss After a year of little progress in Germany's so-called energy revolution, Chancellor Merkel recently reshuffled her cabinet to give it some fresh impetus. In a SPIEGEL interview, new Environment Minister Peter Altmaier discusses the need to inject reality into rosy assumptions and defuse anger sparked by the turnaround's costs. Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:37:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-environment-minister-discusses-fresh-start-in-energy-revolution-a-837012.html After a year of little progress in Germany's so-called energy revolution, Chancellor Merkel recently reshuffled her cabinet to give it some fresh impetus. In a SPIEGEL interview, new Environment Minister Peter Altmaier discusses the need to inject reality into rosy assumptions and defuse anger sparked by the turnaround's costs.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-energy-revolution-stalls-without-decisiveness-and-incentives-a-834565.html#ref=rss Germany's energy revolution has hardly begun, but it's already running out of steam. There is a lack of political decisiveness and companies are complaining of a dearth of incentives to invest billions in necessary infrastructure. Progress or no progress, taxpayers continue footing the bill. Wed, 23 May 2012 15:53:16 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-s-energy-revolution-stalls-without-decisiveness-and-incentives-a-834565.html Germany's energy revolution has hardly begun, but it's already running out of steam. There is a lack of political decisiveness and companies are complaining of a dearth of incentives to invest billions in necessary infrastructure. Progress or no progress, taxpayers continue footing the bill.]]>