The sun, wind and water don‘t send bills. Nevertheless, the changeover to renewable energy is no walk-over. We must invest in renewable energy today to ensure we have a secure and affordable energy supply in
future.

The cost of building renewable energy systems is still relatively high. It is true that renewable energy sources have provided the basis of our energy supply for many thousands of years—but industrial series production, e.g. of modern wind turbines or photovoltaic systems, did not start until the 1990s. Massive cost cuts have already been achieved in this short time: On average, the generation costs of one renewable kilowatt-hour have halved. The systems have become more efficient and at the same time have become cheaper due to mass production.

Start-up financing for renewable energy therefore pays while coal, oil, natural gas and uranium are becoming more expensive.

Fossil energies: Finite and in short supply
The oil price climbed from 30 US$ per barrel (2003) to over 130 US$ in the spring of 2008. The price for a tonne of coal has tripled since 1996; the price of uranium increased 17-fold within 6 years. Three quarters of the energy
used in Germany is imported. The best insurance against future price rises is therefore faster and broader development of homegrown renewable energy. In 2007, electricity, heat and fuels from renewable energy already saved imports of fossil energy sources worth 4.3 bln euro. Each individual person can make
themselves independent too. Anyone who heats their detached house with wood pellets already saves an average 600 euro energy costs per year compared to heating oil and natural gas (annual consumption: 2,250 litre heating oil, 150 m² floor area).