Europe’s largest economy Germany saw the conservative alliance of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) emerge as the clear winner of its February 2025 federal elections, led by Friedrich Merz as the chancellor candidate. While the government is yet to be formally made, the one conclusive result of the elections is that pro-renewables party the Green Party led by the country’s current Economy Minister Robert Habeck is not going to be the kingmaker. They may or may not be considered to join the coalition, according to local media reports basis preliminary official results of the elections. Merz win follows the US President Donald Trump’s growing friendship with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, and revealing plans for the US troops stationed in Europe to return home. This means Europe needs to be on its own without expecting much from its long-standing ally the US. Even though energy security and climate protection were not central to the German election campaign, the country will need to ensure it remains energy self-sufficient for the sake of its economy in this geopolitical atmosphere. The CDU/CSU alliance is likely to prioritize reducing energy costs for the voters as is clear from their election campaign.A businessman like Trump, Merz has never held a government position. His vision for the country will most likely be based on rebooting the economy and increased industrialization. This would create increased demand for electricity for which fossil fuels will not suffice as the country moves away from the same. Germany’s Climate Law targets for the country to source 80% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, reaching 100% by 2035, and eventually achieving net zero emissions by 2045. This entails adding close to 115 GW of onshore wind, 30 GW of offshore wind, and 215 GW of solar PV capacity by 2030. The country has already achieved over 46% of the solar PV target with 100 GW in cumulative reached recently (see Germany Officially Exceeds 100 GW Cumulative Solar PV Capacity). At the same time, Germany will need to honor its commitment to the European Union’s climate policy Renewable Energy Directive (RED) under which the bloc targets to achieve a minimum of 42.5% share of renewable energy by 2030. Reactions to the results Renewable energy, especially solar PV will then remain a key element of the country’s energy future as it can decarbonize various industrial sectors including heating, transport, and industry, especially as the country exits coal. Reflecting on the results of the elections, Renewable Energy Federation BEE said, “Companies urgently need planning security in order to be able to meet national targets and compete internationally for climate technologies. Only with clear framework conditions can Germany further expand its central position as an innovative location for renewable energies.”
