Renewable energy at calculable costs
The costs of the finite energy resources; oil, natural gas and coal are continuously rising. The crude oil price has tripled since 2000 and in 2008 reached the 140 dollar per barrel mark (159 litre); in 2009 the price per barrel declined sharply to around 62 dollar. The world market price for coal also rose from around 42 euro per tonne to a good 90 euro during this period; in 2009 the average price per tonne was 79 euro. Due to worldwide increasing demand for energy and increasing scarcity of the finite resources this trend will doubtlessly continue.
Sun, wind, water power, geothermal energy and bioenergy on the other hand are permanently available at long-term calculable costs. While the conventional energy sources are becoming increasingly more expensive, the costs for renewable energy have already fallen by around half over the past 15 years. The industry aims to achieve further cost cuts of 40 percent by 2020.
The subsidy of renewable energy still currently necessary is countered by large economic benefits. Use of coal, oil and natural gas produces environmental, climate and health damage which is not reflected in the prices of these fuels. Renewable energy avoids climate damage and costs for energy imports. Feeding renewable energy into the grid also reduces the electricity price of the exchange. In this way it produces more net benefits for the whole economy than its subsidy costs.
Background information
The Full Picture of Renewable Energy
At first glance, many reservations regarding renewable energy sources appear plausible. Yet they often conceal a completely different picture.
Background information
Bioenergy and food prices - which relations?
Only a fraction of the agricultural goods produced worldwide have been used to date as bioenergy.
Background information
Less costs for photovoltaic systems
"Subsidised electricity generated from solar energy makes our electricity bill rise."
Background information
Costs of solar energy in Germany
Around 10 square metres of solar collectors is sufficient to cover a quarter of the heat requirements of an average detached house in our part of the world.
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