The promise of the Energiewende: energy democracy

Matthias Willenbacher, head of one of Germany’s largest renewable development firms, says he will give away his shares in the company if Chancellor Merkel adopts a 100% renewable target for energy, not just electricity, by 2020. Today, the positive things about the book he wrote in German for this purpose.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned the announcement of the German book “My indecent proposal to the Chancellor”; now I have had a chance to read it. Parts of it are worth making known to the non-German-speaking world as an indication of what the debate sounds like over here. (Alas, no translation is in the works.)

First, some facts that were not clear to me from the press releases before I read the book. The author is talking about 100% renewable energy, not just electricity, though he could make that distinction clearer even in his book. Second, he would donate his shares in juwi, the firm he cofounded, to Germany’s energy cooperatives – the citizens who have invested in renewables over the past few decades.

Willenbacher minces no words about the role that energy democracy will play in the transition to renewables: “The German government still believes energy corporations can implement the Energiewende. This is a fundamental error.” He believes it will only work with distributed renewables in the hands of citizens, coops and municipals.

I find this stance a bit radical in Germany, but common enough. The more mainstream opinion is probably that it remains to be seen what role large energy corporations will play in a (nearly) 100% renewable future.

A new book by the CEO of a German renewables developer is drawing a lot of attention in Germany right now. In this first of three installments, we present the German debate to the non-German-speaking world.

juwi

Juwi got started with wind projects financed by citizens, so Willenbacher’s stance on offshore wind is not surprising: “I know that some proponents of the Energiewende are convinced that we need both on shore and offshore wind. I am not…. Offshore is an expensive gift to corporations, and citizens cannot take part.” This assessment is fairly mainstream in Germany; Renewables International has repeatedly reported on the double standard for offshore wind.

Perhaps the best part of the book for foreign readers would be (if translated) the long section on Willenbacher’s own career. He did not start off as an environmental campaigner, but as a farmer’s son who studied physics and became fascinated with wind power when he read about it outside of his studies (he says physics departments barely mentioned wind power in the early 1990s). Then, he discovered his knack for not taking “no” for an answer from public officials; by the time he applied for his first bank loan for a wind turbine, he already had all of the paperwork completed, including permits. It sounds as though he sat there telling his banker what would be needed – as he spread the signed documents out on the banker’s desk.

Et voilà, a wind farm developer was born in a politically conservative region. He says he first voted for the Christian Democrats when he came of age, and of the seven politicians quoted as supporters at the end of his book, four are CDU members. He also says his family thought Green politicians were dreamers in the early 1990s.

Willenbacher’s approach is accordingly sensible at times. He wants wind turbines where locals accept them. And, he argues convincingly, “It is true that Germany does not have enough all the time to meet all of our needs. But that does not mean we shouldn’t get as much from wind power as possible.”

I love these parts of the book, but before I get to the points I like less, let’s finish off the first installment of this review with my favorite quote of his – the justification for his “vision” (as opposed to his “master plan”): “We need positive emotions to bring this promise to life.” Yea, Matthias, it’s time to celebrate the Energiewende. (Craig Morris)