It took Germany 15 years to successfully realize apreliminary transition of its electric power system, with the percentage ofrenewables in its power consumption rising from 6.2% in 2000 to 32.5% in 2015.Now Germany is in the phase 2.0 of the energy transition. The government hasset the goal for renewables to account for up to or more than 80% in powerconsumption and for up to 60% in end-use energy consumption in 2050.
Energy transition entails realignment of the interestsof diverse stakeholders. How had Germany managed to harmonise the varyinginterests of different political parties, bundeslands (states), and energyindustries and work out a unified national consensus and action plan? What werethe measures and means adopted to harmonise those interests? What was the roleplayed by planning and market respectively? What were the challenges and howwere they overcome in the process of implementation? What implications would Germanexperience have for energy revolution in China?
To shed light on those issues, Mr. Stephen Kohler, ex-Chief Executive of the German Energy Agency (dena), who was visiting in China, made akeynote speech on harmonisation of the interests of diverse stakeholders inGerman energy transition after a dinner hosted by BEC on 12th October2017. Following the keynote speech were profound discussions between him and attendingexperts.
The German Energy Agency (Deutsche Energie-Agentur, ordena) was formed in 2000 when Mr. Gerhard Schröder, then Chancellor of Germany,announced the energy transition plan. Mr. Stephen Kohler was appointed as itsfirst Chief Executive. During his tenure which lasted as long as 14 years(2000-2014), Mr. Kohler designed and directed Germany’s energy transition andis generally regarded as one of the most influential experts on German energytransition.
Joining him for the event were some 30 BEC experts, including Mr.Zhou Dadi, Vice Chairman of BEC Honorary Board, Mr. Xu Dingming, formerDirector of the National Energy Expert Advisory Committee, Mr. Dai Yande,Director of the Energy Research Institute of NDRC, and Mr. Li Junfeng, formerDirector of the National Climate Strategy & International CooperationCentre.