Most Germans sceptical of smooth energy transition, RWE survey says

Most people in Germany doubt that the country’s energy transition can be pursued according to plans and without greater difficulties, according to a representative survey that utility RWE presented at a debate meeting in Berlin. A majority of 69 percent of those surveyed said they did not expect the Energiewende to run smoothly, whereas 28 percent said they were optimistic the project could be carried out as planned. The survey, commissioned by RWE, also said affordability and supply security were by far the chief concerns in energy transition, while energy autonomy and renewables expansion ranked significantly lower. At the same time, most respondents said the Green Party had the greatest energy policy expertise at 26 percent, followed by the conservative union of CDU/CSU with 22 percent, and the SPD with 8 percent. Forty percent of respondents said no party boasted major expertise in the field.

See the CLEW factsheet Polls reveal citizens’ support for Energiewende for more information.