The Paths of German Energy Transition: An Institutional Analysis

Abstract

The Germany energy transition has been enabled by continuous institutional evolution. The institutional development has continued while party coalitions have repeatedly changed. This study analyzes the institutional progress of the German energy transition under different political settings and extrinsic incidents. Institutional path generation of German energy transition was actualized by political and social responses to the global energy crises as well as the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The participation of the Green Party in the ruling coalition, with the introduction of EFA, played a significant role in launching the energy transition. The reinforcement of this institutional path was formed due to the replacement of the EFA with the EEG in 2000, under a strong political will for sustainable energy development. The Fukushima nuclear accident, and the continued support from the political coalition contributed to the institutional path maintenance for this energy transition. The progressive social and political environment changes in energy transition were prior conditions for setting up institutional strategies. External impacts were prime movers for the implementation of institutional methods or revisions. The institutional durability, in the face of critical alterations of internal and external circumstance, has provided a successful path to energy transition.