It will be a long way to reach the goals.
Here are answers to most often raised questions.
What is the biggest challenge for Germany as it transitions from an “old” system of energy to a new, clean, carbon free one?
Germany produced almost 50 % of total electricity by coal. The greatest challenge is to substitute the large share by renewable energy. As well as grid extension: in or order to increase the share of renewable energy by 80 % , energy storage as well as grid extension is needed.
How much will it cost to get to CO2 free energy by 2050?
We need to invest in the energy system anyway, as half of the coal power plants are old and need to be replaced. In the same time, we need to invest in energy saving, especially in buildings and mobility. The more energy we save, the more cost we save. We have to distinguish between costs, that are costs for fossil fuel, which Germany has to pay to foreign countries like Russia or Norway; And between investments which help the economic development in Germany. One example is renewable energy: 340.000 employed, growth of +40 % in the last 3 years. Investments in the buildings sector or mobility would also strengthen the German economy. Investments will be high in the next decade, but not much higher as if we only produce fossil fuel based energy. The long term economic benefits outweigh the costs.
What impact will the nuclear extension have on the renewable industry?
None, as the feed in tariff systems remains, the priority to the grid for renewable energy remains, the grid will be extended, the share of offshore wind energy will increase. The long term goal is to increase the share of renewable energy up to 80 %. The extension of lifetime of nuclear power plants help to avoid that new coal power plants will be constructed. The question is not nuclear versus renewable but nuclear versus coal.