Electricity prices have skyrocketed, so dismantle wind turbines and dig coal mines? A deep dive into the Germans' "environmental myth."

For a long time, Germany has been regarded as a global benchmark for environmental protection and energy transition, and its "Energiewende" strategy was once held in high hopes. However, the implementation of a series of radical policies and the impact of geopolitics have plunged this environmental experiment into multiple crises. From dismantling wind power facilities to mining highly polluting lignite, to electricity prices soaring tenfold triggering industrial relocation, Germany's environmental myth is gradually fading, revealing a profound rift between environmental ideals and energy reality, and also providing a highly cautionary sample for the global energy transition. For a long time, Germany has been regarded as a global benchmark for environmental protection and energy transition, and its "Energiewende" strategy was once held in high hopes. However, the implementation of a series of radical policies and the impact of geopolitics have plunged this environmental experiment into multiple crises. From dismantling wind power facilities to mining highly polluting lignite, to electricity prices soaring tenfold triggering industrial relocation, Germany's environmental myth is gradually fading, revealing a profound rift between environmental ideals and energy reality, and also providing a highly cautionary sample for the global energy transition.

I. Core Contradiction: The Intense Clash Between Environmental Ideals and Energy Realities

The ironic reversal of dismantling wind power to mine lignite.

The contradiction of Germany's energy transition is vividly reflected in the act of "dismantling wind turbines to mine lignite." Lignite, as one of the most polluting and highest carbon-emitting fossil fuels, should be a key target for restriction under environmental policies, while wind power, as a core form of clean energy, is being dismantled to make way for lignite mining. This action is aptly compared to "dismantling the pillars of a temple and burning coffin planks to offer the most vigorous incense to Buddha," which ironically reveals the disconnect between Germany's environmental goals and its actual actions. The contradiction of Germany's energy transition is vividly reflected in the act of "dismantling wind turbines to mine lignite." Lignite, as one of the most polluting and highest carbon-emitting fossil fuels, should be a key target for restriction under environmental policies, while wind power, as a core form of clean energy, is being dismantled to make way for lignite mining. This action is aptly compared to "dismantling the pillars of a temple and burning coffin planks to offer the most vigorous incense to Buddha," which ironically reveals the disconnect between Germany's environmental goals and its actual actions.

Extreme bipolar fluctuations in electricity prices.

The current German power system exhibits severe "schizophrenia" and "bipolar disorder" characteristics, with electricity prices swinging violently between extreme lows and extreme highs: The current German power system exhibits severe "schizophrenia" and "bipolar disorder" characteristics, with electricity prices swinging violently between extreme lows and extreme highs:

• **Extreme Low Prices:** During certain periods, due to an oversupply of renewable energy, electricity prices fall below the floor price or even turn negative, forcing power plants to pay users to consume electricity.
• **Extreme High Prices:** In [Month] [Year], affected by two consecutive days of windless and sunless conditions known as the "dark doldrums," Germany's spot electricity prices surged to €[amount] per megawatt-hour, approximately [number] times the usual rate. This increase is equivalent to gasoline, normally priced at €[amount] per liter, suddenly rising to €[amount] per liter, imposing a heavy burden on both businesses and residents.

II. Radical Decision: The Strategic Move of Energy Transition by Abandoning Nuclear Power

The former nuclear power giant's profound heritage.

Germany was once a top global nuclear power, with its first nuclear power plant connected to the grid in 1961, more than 30 years earlier than China. At its peak, nuclear power contributed over 30% of Germany's electricity, becoming the vital power heart that sustained "Made in Germany", providing stable, low-cost energy support for industrial development. Germany was once a top global nuclear power, with its first nuclear power plant connected to the grid in 1961, more than 30 years earlier than China. At its peak, nuclear power contributed over 30% of Germany's electricity, becoming the vital power heart that sustained "Made in Germany", providing stable, low-cost energy support for industrial development.

The sudden downturn after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, anti-nuclear sentiment surged rapidly within Germany. Under public pressure, the Merkel government made a radical "energy transition" decision, clearly planning to shut down all nuclear power plants by 2022. This decision lacked sufficient consideration for the stability of the energy system, laying hidden dangers for subsequent energy crises. Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, anti-nuclear sentiment surged rapidly within Germany. Under public pressure, the Merkel government made a radical "energy transition" decision, clearly planning to shut down all nuclear power plants by 2022. This decision lacked sufficient consideration for the stability of the energy system, laying hidden dangers for subsequent energy crises.

Nuclear power is completely phased out.

On April 15, 2023, Germany officially shut down its last three nuclear power plants, completely phasing out nuclear energy from its energy structure. This move resulted in the loss of one of its most important stable power sources, significantly reducing the energy system's ability to withstand risks.On April 15, 2023, Germany officially shut down its last three nuclear power plants, completely phasing out nuclear energy from its energy structure. This move resulted in the loss of one of its most important stable power sources, significantly reducing the energy system's ability to withstand risks.

III. Deep-Seated Motivations: The Geopolitical Calculations Behind the Energy Transition

The environmental agenda represented by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appears to be a global call for climate action, but in reality, it conceals the geopolitical "grand strategy" of the Western world. The core logic lies in reshaping the global competitive landscape by "changing the track": The environmental agenda represented by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appears to be a global call for climate action, but in reality, it conceals the geopolitical "grand strategy" of the Western world. The core logic lies in reshaping the global competitive landscape by "changing the track":

• **Changing the Competitive Landscape:** In the traditional fossil energy sectors (oil and coal), Western nations struggle to compete with major energy exporters such as Russia and Middle Eastern countries. Consequently, the West aims to leverage its technological and financial advantages to establish new "carbon neutrality" rules, thereby forcibly shifting global energy development toward the new energy track.
• **Strategic Objective:** Once new energy regulations become globally prevalent, Russia's oil and the Middle East's natural gas will significantly depreciate in value. The West, which holds environmental discourse power and core patents in new energy, will leverage this to regain global economic dominance, achieving the goal of "harvesting the world once again."

IV. Structural Dilemma: The Vulnerability of the Energy System Under Reliance on Wind and Solar Power

According to publicly available data from 2023, Germany's energy structure suffers from severe "overestimation" and "imbalance" issues. Behind the seemingly massive installed capacity lies unstable and inefficient energy supply: According to publicly available data from 2023, Germany's energy structure suffers from severe "overestimation" and "imbalance" issues. Behind the seemingly massive installed capacity lies unstable and inefficient energy supply:

• **Inflated Installed Capacity:** Germany's total installed power capacity has reached a high level, but the peak electricity demand is only about a fraction of that. The installed capacity is more than several times the actual demand, leading to significant waste in energy infrastructure investment.
• **Severe structural imbalance:** Wind and solar power account for as high as .% of the total installed capacity. These types of energy are heavily influenced by natural conditions and belong to the category of unstable "temporary workers." In contrast, traditional energy sources such as coal and gas power, which can ensure stable electricity supply, account for less than % of the total, making it difficult to support the fundamental framework of the energy system.
• Inefficient Equipment: Wind and solar installations, accounting for 65.5% of capacity, contributed only 43.7% of electricity, indicating low equipment utilization. The "weather-dependent" energy supply model frequently exposes the power system to risks of supply-demand imbalance. The fact that only 18% of electricity demand was met by renewable energy during the "dark wind period" in the winter of 2024 serves as the best evidence.Inefficient Equipment: Wind and solar installations, accounting for 65.5% of capacity, contributed only 43.7% of electricity, indicating low equipment utilization. The "weather-dependent" energy supply model frequently exposes the power system to risks of supply-demand imbalance. The fact that only 18% of electricity demand was met by renewable energy during the "dark wind period" in the winter of 2024 serves as the best evidence.

V. Collapse of Key Pillars: The "Red Sausage" Effect of Russia's Cheap Natural Gas.

The "burning bridges" plan of excessive dependency.

Over the past two decades, the reason Germany's energy transition has been able to maintain the appearance of a "miracle" is primarily reliant on Russia's cheap natural gas. The underlying logic is "use wind power when available, use gas when not," treating Russian natural gas as a transitional bridge before the new energy system is fully established. The "carbon neutrality timetable" announced by Germany essentially amounts to giving advance notice to Russia, this energy supplier: "You can leave in ten years," full of speculation and risk. Over the past two decades, the reason Germany's energy transition has been able to maintain the appearance of a "miracle" is primarily reliant on Russia's cheap natural gas. The underlying logic is "use wind power when available, use gas when not," treating Russian natural gas as a transitional bridge before the new energy system is fully established. The "carbon neutrality timetable" announced by Germany essentially amounts to giving advance notice to Russia, this energy supplier: "You can leave in ten years," full of speculation and risk.

The fatal weakness of the energy lifeline.

The fatal flaw of this strategy lies in entrusting the lifeline of national energy security to the geopolitical rival, the Putin government. When Germany was at its most vulnerable moment—"nuclear power shut down, coal power just reduced, new energy not yet established"—Russia gained the capability to deliver a fatal blow to its energy system, completely relinquishing the initiative of energy security into the hands of others. The fatal flaw of this strategy lies in entrusting the lifeline of national energy security to the geopolitical rival, the Putin government. When Germany was at its most vulnerable moment—"nuclear power shut down, coal power just reduced, new energy not yet established"—Russia gained the capability to deliver a fatal blow to its energy system, completely relinquishing the initiative of energy security into the hands of others.

Six, the Full-Blown Crisis: The Chain Reactions Following the Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion

The 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosion incident became the trigger for the full outbreak of Germany's energy crisis. The previously relied-upon cheap Russian natural gas, this "red sausage," suddenly disappeared, triggering a series of chain reactions: The 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosion incident became the trigger for the full outbreak of Germany's energy crisis. The previously relied-upon cheap Russian natural gas, this "red sausage," suddenly disappeared, triggering a series of chain reactions:

• The direct trigger for the exorbitant electricity prices: During the "calm wind period" on [date], electricity demand surged. However, due to high gas prices, half of the gas-fired power plants were in a state of deep shutdown and unable to respond quickly to supplement energy supply. This directly led to electricity prices soaring to a record high of [amount] euros per megawatt-hour.
• **High System Stabilization Costs:** To balance the instability of wind and solar power generation, German grid operators must pay enormous "redispatch" fees, which exceeded 3 billion euros in 2023 alone. This heavy cost is ultimately passed on entirely to consumers and industrial enterprises through electricity prices, taxes, and other forms. **High System Stabilization Costs:** To balance the instability of wind and solar power generation, German grid operators must pay enormous "redispatch" fees, which exceeded 3 billion euros in 2023 alone. This heavy cost is ultimately passed on entirely to consumers and industrial enterprises through electricity prices, taxes, and other forms.

Seven, Chain Disasters: From Energy Dependence to the Crisis of "Deindustrialization"

From a power exporter to a major importer.

After the outbreak of the energy crisis, Germany had to swallow its pride and import large quantities of high-priced electricity from France (nuclear power) and Northern Europe (hydropower), which it had long criticized, achieving an awkward reversal from being a European electricity exporter to the largest importer. After the outbreak of the energy crisis, Germany had to swallow its pride and import large quantities of high-priced electricity from France (nuclear power) and Northern Europe (hydropower), which it had long criticized, achieving an awkward reversal from being a European electricity exporter to the largest importer.

The cost of being "harvested" by neighboring countries and the United States.

Under the framework of the European unified electricity market, Germany's high electricity prices directly drive up electricity prices across Europe. Power companies in countries like Norway and France leverage their low-cost electricity to sell at Germany's high prices, reaping enormous profits; the United States also seizes the opportunity to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany at quadruple the price, further exacerbating Germany's energy cost burden. Under the framework of the European unified electricity market, Germany's high electricity prices directly drive up electricity prices across Europe. Power companies in countries like Norway and France leverage their low-cost electricity to sell at Germany's high prices, reaping enormous profits; the United States also seizes the opportunity to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany at quadruple the price, further exacerbating Germany's energy cost burden.

The industrial heart stops beating and the "Great Escape".

Exorbitant electricity bills have become the "last straw" that breaks the back of German industry, with approximately half of the costs coming from taxes and grid balancing fees, severely eroding the profit margins of industrial enterprises. From an economic logic perspective, Profit = Selling Price - Cost. When the core cost of electricity becomes infinitely large, corporate profits will approach zero or even turn negative, leading to the extreme situation of "operating at a loss". Exorbitant electricity bills have become the "last straw" that breaks the back of German industry, with approximately half of the costs coming from taxes and grid balancing fees, severely eroding the profit margins of industrial enterprises. From an economic logic perspective, Profit = Selling Price - Cost. When the core cost of electricity becomes infinitely large, corporate profits will approach zero or even turn negative, leading to the extreme situation of "operating at a loss".

"Deindustrialization" has become an unavoidable reality for Germany: In September 2024, Volkswagen announced for the first time that it was considering closing its domestic factories in Germany; chemical giant BASF and other companies have been cutting costs at their German headquarters, closing some factories, and increasing investment in China and other regions. A "great escape" of German industry is underway. "Deindustrialization" has become an unavoidable reality for Germany: In September 2024, Volkswagen announced for the first time that it was considering closing its domestic factories in Germany; chemical giant BASF and other companies have been cutting costs at their German headquarters, closing some factories, and increasing investment in China and other regions. A "great escape" of German industry is underway.

VIII. Futile Self-Salvation: Technical Fixes Under Strategic Missteps Fail to Reverse Defeat

. Complicated technical self-rescue attempts

To overcome the crisis, Germany has introduced a series of technical self-rescue measures, including designing complex electricity market mechanisms, promoting smart meters, and developing virtual power plants (Virtuelle Kraftwerke), aiming to aggregate the flexibility of distributed energy resources through algorithms and market mechanisms to alleviate the instability issues of the energy system. To overcome the crisis, Germany has introduced a series of technical self-rescue measures, including designing complex electricity market mechanisms, promoting smart meters, and developing virtual power plants (Virtuelle Kraftwerke), aiming to aggregate the flexibility of distributed energy resources through algorithms and market mechanisms to alleviate the instability issues of the energy system.

Strategic diligence cannot conceal tactical incompetence.

These technological attempts have been evaluated as "strategically diligent, tactically incompetent," akin to applying the most expensive band-aid to a patient in cardiac arrest—seemingly refined but unable to address the core issue. The root cause lies in the fatal flaws in the underlying strategy of its energy transition; mere technical patches are insufficient to reverse the overall failure. These technological attempts have been evaluated as "strategically diligent, tactically incompetent," akin to applying the most expensive band-aid to a patient in cardiac arrest—seemingly refined but unable to address the core issue. The root cause lies in the fatal flaws in the underlying strategy of its energy transition; mere technical patches are insufficient to reverse the overall failure.

The loss in the green industry competition.

Germany's plan to sacrifice traditional industries to cultivate green industries has also failed to achieve its desired outcome.In key new energy product markets such as photovoltaic panels, energy storage batteries, and wind turbine blades, China has already taken a dominant position, completely dashing Germany's once highly anticipated green industry strategy. Germany's plan to sacrifice traditional industries to cultivate green industries has also failed to achieve its desired outcome.In key new energy product markets such as photovoltaic panels, energy storage batteries, and wind turbine blades, China has already taken a dominant position, completely dashing Germany's once highly anticipated green industry strategy.

IX. Comparison of Sino-German Paths: The Divide Between Pragmatism and Fundamentalism.

China's pragmatic approach.

China has adopted a pragmatic energy transition strategy: While vigorously developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, it firmly maintains thermal power as its fundamental base, actively promotes nuclear power development, and has built the world's largest ultra-high-voltage power grid, achieving cross-regional energy complementarity through physical regulation. Its core logic is "first fill the stomach, then talk about eating healthily," steadily advancing the transition under the premise of ensuring energy security. China has adopted a pragmatic energy transition strategy: While vigorously developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, it firmly maintains thermal power as its fundamental base, actively promotes nuclear power development, and has built the world's largest ultra-high-voltage power grid, achieving cross-regional energy complementarity through physical regulation. Its core logic is "first fill the stomach, then talk about eating healthily," steadily advancing the transition under the premise of ensuring energy security.

Germany's fundamentalist path.

Germany has moved towards the extreme of environmental fundamentalism: In pursuit of the goal of "absolute environmental protection," it is willing to bear the risks of energy shortages and economic recession, akin to "risking starvation for the sake of absolute health." This unrealistic and "obsessive" path ultimately led to a comprehensive crisis. Germany has moved towards the extreme of environmental fundamentalism: In pursuit of the goal of "absolute environmental protection," it is willing to bear the risks of energy shortages and economic recession, akin to "risking starvation for the sake of absolute health." This unrealistic and "obsessive" path ultimately led to a comprehensive crisis.

. Core lesson: Arrogance that defies the laws of nature will inevitably come at a heavy price.

In the face of nature and physical laws, noble ideals alone cannot generate electricity. Germany's failed energy transition profoundly reveals a core lesson: energy transition must respect economic laws and physical realities, and cannot pursue radical political correctness divorced from national conditions.. Ignoring the fundamental prerequisite of energy security and blindly implementing idealized environmental policies will ultimately incur heavy economic and social costs.. In the face of nature and physical laws, noble ideals alone cannot generate electricity. Germany's failed energy transition profoundly reveals a core lesson: energy transition must respect economic laws and physical realities, and cannot pursue radical political correctness divorced from national conditions.. Ignoring the fundamental prerequisite of energy security and blindly implementing idealized environmental policies will ultimately incur heavy economic and social costs..

Conclusion

Germany's radical energy transition is a tragedy where ideals collided with reality. From the hasty phase-out of nuclear power to excessive reliance on wind and solar power, from pinning hopes on cheap energy from geopolitical rivals to the systemic collapse after the Nord Stream pipelines were sabotaged, each misstep has pushed Germany deeper into crisis. This crisis has not only cost Germany through rising energy prices and industrial outflow but also provided a crucial warning for the global energy transition: energy transition is a long-term systematic project, not a radical political movement. Only by balancing environmental goals, energy security, and economic development can it proceed steadily and sustainably. Germany's radical energy transition is a tragedy where ideals collided with reality. From the hasty phase-out of nuclear power to excessive reliance on wind and solar power, from pinning hopes on cheap energy from geopolitical rivals to the systemic collapse after the Nord Stream pipelines were sabotaged, each misstep has pushed Germany deeper into crisis. This crisis has not only cost Germany through rising energy prices and industrial outflow but also provided a crucial warning for the global energy transition: energy transition is a long-term systematic project, not a radical political movement. Only by balancing environmental goals, energy security, and economic development can it proceed steadily and sustainably.