The energy transition is the way to a future without nuclear energy - towards an industrial society that is firmly committed to notions of sustainability and responsibility towards future generations. To achieve this, our power will come from 55 to 60 per cent renewable energy sources by 2035 and 80 per cent by 2050.

Solar power and wind energy are the most important renewables in Germany's energy reforms. Additionally, biomass, hydropower and geothermal energy will make valuable contributions to the sustainable energy supply.

Solar power can be used directly in many ways. Solar cells in photovoltaic installations, solar-thermal power plants and solar collectors use solar radiation directly and convert the radiation energy into electricity or heat.

Wind power now accounts for about eight per cent of the German power supply. The use of the wind as an energy source plays a key role in the development of renewable energy sources towards an economically sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply at reasonable prices and with a high level of prosperity. Alongside the increased expansion of suitable rural locations and the replacement of older, smaller turbines with modern and more powerful turbines - known as repowering - the gradual expansion of wind power at sea is also being developed - known as offshore wind power.

Biomass in solid, liquid and gaseous form is being used for electricity and heat generation and for the production of biofuels. Just over two-thirds of the total final energy from renewable sources was generated by the different types of biomass used to this end in 2013.

Additional information about the various technologies can be found on the "Renewable Energies" information portal (only in German).