The Evolution of Germany's Energy Policy and Oil Consumption: From 1995 to the 2020s Introduction: The Situation Before 1995 In 1995, Germany's energy policy still relied heavily on fossil fuels. Oil consumption stood at approximately 133 million tons, accounting for 40.3% of primary energy. A significant portion of this energy was used in the transportation sector, with gasoline consumption at 29.8 million tons and diesel fuel at 25.5 million tons. Although environmental awareness was gradually increasing during this period, with laws like the Recycling Promotion Act being enacted, a fundamental shift in the energy structure had not yet occurred.

The Evolution of Germany's Energy Policy and Oil Consumption: From 1995 to the 2020s Introduction: The Situation Before 1995 In 1995, Germany's energy policy still relied heavily on fossil fuels. Oil consumption stood at approximately 133 million tons, accounting for 40.3% of primary energy. A significant portion of this energy was used in the transportation sector, with gasoline consumption at 29.8 million tons and diesel fuel at 25.5 million tons. Although environmental awareness was gradually increasing during this period, with laws like the Recycling Promotion Act being enacted, a fundamental shift in the energy structure had not yet occurred.

Phase I: Establishing the Renewable Energy Foundation (2000s) The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), enacted in 2000, marked a groundbreaking turning point in Germany's energy policy. This law spurred rapid expansion of wind and solar power generation, leading to renewable energy accounting for approximately 10% of domestic electricity generation by 2005. Major energy companies like E.ON and RWE advanced large-scale offshore wind power projects, particularly along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. In Stuttgart, the introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses progressed, promoting the decarbonization of public transportation. Simultaneously, measures aimed at improving energy efficiency advanced, enhancing the thermal insulation of buildings and energy-saving technologies in industry.

Phase 2: Energy Transition Period (2010s) The 2010s marked the era when Germany fully embraced and accelerated its Energy Transition (Energiewende). Following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, Germany decided to phase out nuclear power, announcing a policy to shut down all reactors by 2022. Concurrently, the share of renewable energy increased significantly, reaching 27% of domestic electricity generation by 2014. Within this, wind power accounted for 9.1% and solar power for 5.7%, establishing their position as major energy sources.

Coal consumption also showed a declining trend, falling from 124 million tons in 2010 to 90 million tons by 2019. Particularly in urban areas like Berlin and Frankfurt, the closure of coal-fired power plants progressed, accelerating the shift towards renewable energy.

Phase Three: Establishing Renewable Energy and the Hydrogen Economy (2020s) By the 2020s, the share of renewable energy reached 44.4%. The "Coal Phase-Out Act," aimed at eliminating coal-fired power generation, was enacted. Based on this law, plans are underway to completely phase out coal-fired power plants by 2038.

Furthermore, hydrogen energy is attracting attention as a new pillar. In 2024, the construction of a 12,500,000-gigawatt hydrogen-compatible gas power plant is planned, and a project to convert liquefied natural gas (LNG) to hydrogen is underway in the port area of Hamburg. In Bavaria, a hydrogen production facility utilizing electrolyzer technology is being constructed.

Contributions by major energy companies RWE has signed a contract to supply 64 million gigawatt hours of green electricity per year to the Salzgitter steelworks from 2027, while E.ON is introducing smart grid technology to achieve efficient power supply. BASF is also expanding the use of renewable energy at its Ludwigshafen plant and working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.