The Great Energy Debate Is Nuclear Power the Solution to Climate Change? Paul Dorfman and Staffan Qvist both want to save the climate. But one of them wants to rid the world of nuclear reactors while the other wants to build more of them. We brought them together for a debate. Interview Conducted by Philip Bethge und Rafaela von Bredow
Brown Coal, Fool's Gold Can Germany Break Its Lignite Habit? Can Germany finally turn its back on brown coal? It will have to in order to reach its CO2 reduction pledges. But lignite is a reliable source of cheap energy and provides lots of jobs in economically fragile regions. Von Benedikt Becker, Frank Dohmen, Gerald Traufetter und Steffen Winter
VW Scandal Time for German Industry to Abandon Its Arrogance Arrogance and complacency are widespread in Germany industry, with Volkswagen becoming just the most recent example. For the German economy to remain healthy, fundamental changes are necessary. Von Armin Mahler
The Warming World Is Capitalism Destroying Our Planet? World leaders decided in Copenhagen that global warming should be limited to 2 degrees Celsius. Achieving that target, though, would take nothing less than a miracle. With another round of climate negotiations approaching, it is becoming increasingly clear that mankind has failed to address its most daunting problem. Von Alexander Jung, Horand Knaup, Samiha Shafy und Bernhard Zand
Gone With the Wind Weak Returns Cripple German Renewables Investments in renewable energy were supposed to be a sure thing, with wind park operators promising annual returns of up to 20 percent. More often than not, however, such pledges have been illusory -- and many investors have lost their principal to boot. Von Gunther Latsch, Anne Seith und Gerald Traufetter
Green Fade-Out Europe to Ditch Climate Protection Goals The EU's reputation as a model of environmental responsibility may soon be history. The European Commission wants to forgo ambitious climate protection goals and pave the way for fracking -- jeopardizing Germany's touted energy revolution in the process. Von Gregor Peter Schmitz
Climate Conference Doubts Emerge Over Germany's Leadership Renewable energy experts worry that support will fade for climate-related policies in Berlin with the inauguration of the planned new grand coalition government. The UN climate conference and NGOs are responding with pressure on Germany to send a signal that the country is still a leader. Von Joel Stonington
Energy Referendum Public Buy-Back of Berlin Grid Fails An attempt to buy Berlin's energy grid from the Swedish mega firm Vattenfall fell short at the polls on Sunday. Activists argued the company isn't doing enough to foster green energy, while opponents questioned the logistical advantages of a change.
Nuclear Divergence UK's New Reactor Spurs Debate in Germany The UK's decision to build a new nuclear power plant has thrown Germany's vow to shut down its own nuclear plants into relief. Critics argue Germany's decision was emotional, not practical -- others disagree. Von Rupert Neate
Coalition Talks SPD May Drop Demand for Finance Ministry Clinching the powerful post of finance minister in coalition talks would be a major coup for the center-left Social Democrats. But they may drop the demand in return for policy concessions -- and due to tactical considerations by SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel.
Reality Check Germany's Defective Green Energy Game Plan Germany pretends to be a pioneer in the green revolution. But its massively expensive Energiewende has done nothing to make the environment cleaner or encourage genuine efficiency. One writer argues: Either do it right, or don't do it at all. Von Alexander Neubacher
Preparing to Govern Formal Coalition Talks Kick Off in Berlin Official coalition talks began Wednesday in Berlin between Merkel's conservatives and the center-left Social Democratic Party. Central topics include energy policy and the minimum wage -- as well as Germany's hotly debated European policy.
Expanding the Grid A Vision for Fueling Europe on Renewables European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger is in Brussels on Monday to present his plan for the future of energy in the EU. He wants to export Germany's push toward renewables to the rest of the Continent -- and for the first time, he actually has the money to do it. Von Christoph Pauly
Sacrificing an Idyll for an Ideal Bavarians Protest Power Plant Pumped-storage power plants are an important part of Germany's shift away from nuclear energy. But the facilities are being planned in some of the country's most idyllic areas, leading locals and supporters of renewable energies alike to protest. Von Dinah Deckstein
Warming Plateau? Climatologists Face Inconvenient Truth Data shows global temperatures aren't rising the way climate scientists have predicted. Now the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change faces a problem: publicize these findings and encourage skeptics -- or hush up the figures. Von Axel Bojanowski, Olaf Stampf und Gerald Traufetter
Germany's Energy Poverty How Electricity Became a Luxury Good Germany's agressive and reckless expansion of wind and solar power has come with a hefty pricetag for consumers, and the costs often fall disproportionately on the poor. Government advisors are calling for a completely new start. Von SPIEGEL Staff
Casualty of War WWII Explosives Scuttle Windfarm Opening The ambitious Riffgat wind farm was supposed to open off the German and Dutch coast this month and power 120,000 homes. Now the discovery of unexploded ordinance is causing a costly delay.
Turbine Trouble Ill Wind Blows for German Offshore Industry Only recently, the offshore wind industry was seen as an opportunity to regenerate Germany's coast. But amid changing political attitudes and spiraling costs, several companies are struggling to survive. Is the wind boom over before it even really began? Von Michael Fröhlingsdorf
Unfair Competition? EU Takes on German Green Energy Law The European Commission plans to launch a probe this Wednesday into Germany's renewable energy law. Brussels says it breaches EU competition law because it exempts many companies from charges levied to fund green subsidies.
Eco-Blowback Mutiny in the Land of Wind Turbines Germany plans to build 60,000 new wind turbines -- in forests, in the foothills of the Alps and even in protected environmental areas. But local residents are up in arms, costs are skyrocketing and Germany's determination to phase out nuclear power is in danger. Von Matthias Schulz