Ministers Rösler and Altmaier present monitoring report "Energy of the Future"

Federal Minister for Economics and Technology, Dr. Philipp Rösler, and Federal Environment Minister Peter Altmaier presented the first monitoring report "Energy of the Future" today. The federal cabinet had adopted the report earlier in the day. The report finds that the transformation of the energy system, a task for several generations, has made progress, but that some challenges are yet to be addressed.

Minister Rösler: "The transformation of the energy system provides enormous opportunities for our economy and the generations to come. We have made substantial progress, for example through our decision on the expansion of grids. The transformation is well underway. Commission members confirm this assessment, and I would like to thank them for their work. Energy consumption is decreasing, renewable energies are contributing more and more to supply, greenhouse gas emissions are being cut and supply security is ensured. Nevertheless, there are still some challenges ahead. The most important task for the future is to keep energy secure and above all affordable. Experts rightly warn against rising costs, caused in part by the expansion of renewables. This underlines how important it is for the German government to implement the agreed amendments to the current support system."

Minister Altmaier: "The Energiewende is a task for several generations. It is the biggest infrastructural project in Germany since the post-war reconstruction. Our first joint monitoring report shows that we have already made good progress and laid the right foundations. The transformation of the energy system will do our country good. The move towards a new, regenerative energy supply will make our economy more innovative and competitive. It is also a great opportunity for all of society to participate in this project. This is why we must advance the transformation in a constructive and targeted way. I would like to thank the members of the expert commission for their independent and critical review of our report. Having this external perspective is vital to the monitoring process."

The German government will carefully evaluate the comments and recommendations made by the independent members of the expert commission and use them as fresh impetus for the successful transformation of the energy system.