Germany Holds Talks on National Energy Policy

Mandate to increase reliance on renewable energy

Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks on developing a nationwide strategy on renewable energy with the governors of Germany's 16 states on Friday, at a time when energy prices are rising and the opposition is critical of her government's efforts.

Until now, each state has drawn up and worked from its own plan for the expansion of renewable resources in its territory, often in conflict with one another. On the federal side, there is no single leader for the project to increase reliance on renewable energy to at least 35 percent by 2020. Instead, responsibilities are divided between the ministries of the environment and the economy, with the education minister responsible for financing research on renewable energy and storage technology.