Germany’s *Energiewende* reshapes the nation’s power landscape after Fukushima
Germany launched its Energiewende—or energy transition—shortly after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. The move marked a sharp turn away from nuclear and fossil fuels toward renewable power sources. Within a year, the country saw major changes in how electricity was produced and who controlled it.
In 2011, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the immediate shutdown of seven nuclear reactors. The remaining plants were set to close within a decade. By 2012, nuclear power’s share of Germany’s electricity dropped from 17.2% to 16%, a trend expected to continue.
The Energiewende has already reshaped Germany’s energy landscape. Nuclear power is declining, renewables are growing, and new players have entered the market. With grid upgrades underway and billions invested, the country is pushing toward a future powered by wind, solar, and other sustainable sources.
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