© plainpicture / Mölleken
The exit from fossil fuels is pivotal to the energy transition. Along with the cessation of power generation from coal, a gas phase-out is therefore crucial in enabling Germany to achieve its climate targets. Most of the natural gas required in Germany is burned to produce heat for buildings or to support industrial processes; only around one-fifth is used for power generation.
Following Russia's war of aggression, the risks associated with importing gas have become clear. For this reason, it is also necessary to phase out the combustion of gas, which damages the climate, in order to achieve energy supply independence. Against the backdrop of climate policy goals, it is necessary to reduce natural gas consumption in Germany, with the ultimate aim of achieving near-zero levels in the long term. These consumption trends have far-reaching consequences for the development of natural gas networks. For economic reasons, among others, it is foreseeable that decommissioning processes for large areas of the natural gas networks will have to be planned and regulated.
Oeko-Institut is working on how this decarbonisation process can be shaped and how the ramp-up of alternative technologies can be successful.
