“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç

Wind power and renewable energy were effectively ignored in the latest summit on Germany's future energy policy, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel on October 9. They were a central topic at the first summit in April (“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç, May 2006). This time, government officials, energy industry players and other stakeholders concentrated on energy efficiency and international fuel issues. The next spring summit, however, is expected to put wind and other renewables back centre stage again -- Merkel is seeking "reliable statements on which energy supply scenarios to 2020 are realistic." This will include assessment of costs. After the April summit, the government noted that EUR 33-EUR 40 billion will be spent on about 18,000 MW of renewables by 2012. Of this, EUR 13 billion will be spent on 9700 MW of wind.