Reconciling the irreconcilable: what could Germany's next coalition mean for the Energiewende

Germany’s politicians are in talks to form the country’s next coalition government, but how will the agreements they reach influence the development of Germany’s energy sector? Germany’s power sector has been the centre of energy policy focus in recent years, with major investments in wind and solar, nuclear phase-out and increasing pressure on the most carbon-intensive sources. Following the election there is increased uncertainty about the priorities of German energy, not only in respect to the role of coal and indigenous lignite – still a major part of electricity supply – but also around the support of renewables. Efficient gas-fired heat and power has also attracted support, reinforcing gas demand.