German energy policy in 2007

Germany is probably one of the most interesting European countries when it comes to energy policy. The author briefly sums up the various current policies relating to German energy supplies and gives an outlook on what to expect from Germany in this respect against the backdrop of the German EU and G8 Presidencies in 2007. Germany implements many measures at home, such as supporting domestic renewable energy production, promoting energy efficiency and restricting the use of nuclear power. Energy policy is often closely linked to industrial policy. However, relations with energy exporting countries, in particular Russia, will remain a very important point of attention for the German government. Germany faces the challenge of concurrently pushing forward a common EU energy policy while avoiding to disgruntle EU partners by strong bilateral German ties with important energy producing countries, especially Russia.