Natural gas: Germany's ticking time bomb of the energy future!

Natural gas: Germany's ticking time bomb of the energy future!

In Germany, the discussion about natural gas and its role in energy supply is at the center of public debates. Natural gas currently covers a quarter of the country's energy needs, while the share of renewable energy lags significantly behind. Loud Climate reporter Germany is alarmingly dependent on natural gas imports - up to 95 percent is sourced abroad. This dependence poses risks that are often ignored by policymakers.

The late-term discussion about natural gas is developing around the question of whether it serves as a “transitional technology” or whether increased investments in new gas power plants and the approval of new gas heating systems are actually the right path. Professor Volker Quaschning from the University of Technology and Economics in Berlin warns that such a strategy is hardly sustainable if the expansion of photovoltaics, wind power and storage technologies is not pushed forward at the same time.

The double click on natural gas

Natural gas is often praised as a clean energy source because it has relatively low CO2 and particulate matter emissions compared to other fossil fuels. According to that BDEW it offers advantages in many areas of the energy transition. Natural gas can act as a valuable building block in the electricity sector as well as in industry and in the heating market. Cities and municipalities have a well-developed natural gas network of almost 500,000 kilometers, which is often well used.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the existing solutions are not sufficient to achieve the ambitious climate goals. The majority of natural gas use is in industry, where innovative technologies such as power-to-gas could help convert excess wind and solar power into hydrogen.

Renewable energies on the rise

However, the future of energy supply must be clearly geared towards renewable energies. The Federal Environment Agency impressively shows that renewables have already avoided 256 million tons of CO2 equivalents in 2024. Wind energy remains the most important energy source for avoiding greenhouse gases.

Current studies show that most electrical companies and the transport industry still rely on fossil fuels. There needs to be a rethink here in order to improve the climate footprint of industry and mobility. Innovative technologies can therefore only make their contribution if they actually become widespread. A clear strategy to reduce dependence on natural gas and promote renewables is essential.

Acceptance of natural gas remains high among the civilian population: According to BDEW, 42 percent of those surveyed would choose natural gas for new heating systems, while 74 percent of existing natural gas users would choose it again. The challenge remains how to create a healthy balance between the use of natural gas and a targeted expansion of renewable energies in climate policy.