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Germany’s Energiewende: A Tale of Increasing Costs and Decreasing Willingness-To-Pay

Author

Listed:
  • Andor, Mark A.
  • Frondel, Manuel
  • Vance, Colin

Abstract

This paper presents evidence that the accumulating cost of Germany's ambitious plan to transform its system of energy provision - the so-called Energiewende - is butting up against consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for it. Following a descriptive presentation that traces the German promotion of renewable energy technologies since 2000, we draw on two stated-preference surveys conducted in 2013 and 2015 that elicit the households' WTP for green electricity. Two models are estimated, one based on a closed-ended question framed around Germany's target of 35% renewable energy in electricity provision by 2020, and the other on an open-ended format that captures changes in WTP over time. To deal with the bias that typifies hypothetical responses, both models distinguish respondents according to whether they express definite certainty in their reported WTP. The results from both models reveal a strong contrast between the households' general acceptance of supporting renewable energy technologies and their own WTP for green electricity.

Suggested Citation

  • Andor, Mark A. & Frondel, Manuel & Vance, Colin, 2016. "Germany’s Energiewende: A Tale of Increasing Costs and Decreasing Willingness-To-Pay," Ruhr Economic Papers 645, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:645
    DOI: 10.4419/86788750
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Newbery, David & Pollitt, Michael G. & Ritz, Robert A. & Strielkowski, Wadim, 2018. "Market design for a high-renewables European electricity system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 695-707.
    3. Cheung, Grace & Davies, Peter J. & Bassen, Alexander, 2019. "In the transition of energy systems: What lessons can be learnt from the German achievement?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 633-646.

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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • Q21 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices

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