From Watts Up With That?

Introduction

Germany’s recent energy debacle serves as a glaring testament to the dangers of delusional virtue signaling in the realm of energy policy. As the nation grapples with the consequences of its ill-conceived “Energiewende” transition, observers might be forgiven for experiencing a touch of schadenfreude. After all, the pitfalls of such a hasty and unpragmatic shift were evident to many from the outset.

Germany’s Self-Inflicted Energy Wound

The AP News article paints a grim picture of Germany’s self-inflicted energy predicament:

“Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, is finding itself unusually vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather, the changing priorities of its main gas supplier, Russia, and the ups and downs of electricity from wind and solar.”https://apnews.com/article/germany-economy-energy-crisis-russia-8a00eebbfab3f20c5c66b1cd85ae84ed

The nation’s hasty transition away from reliable energy sources, driven by collective alarmist groupthink, has left it exposed to the whims of nature and geopolitics.

The Russian Gas Dependency

Germany’s misguided energy strategy has ensnared it in a web of dependency on Russian gas:

“Germany gets about a third of its gas from Russia, which recently has been sending only limited supplies to Europe, driving up prices.”https://apnews.com/article/germany-economy-energy-crisis-russia-8a00eebbfab3f20c5c66b1cd85ae84ed

This reliance, coupled with Russia’s recent maneuvers, has placed Germany in a precarious position, a situation that could have been avoided with a more balanced and pragmatic energy approach.

The Fallacy of Green Ambitions

Germany’s delusional push towards renewable energy sources has been nothing short of a masterclass in how not to approach energy policy:

“Germany’s decision to phase out both nuclear power and coal by 2038 has made it more dependent on gas for electricity generation, especially when the weather isn’t cooperating.”https://apnews.com/article/germany-economy-energy-crisis-russia-8a00eebbfab3f20c5c66b1cd85ae84ed

The irony is inescapable. In its misguided bid to appease the altar of green energy, Germany has ironically tethered itself even more to fossil fuels. The intermittent nature of renewables, such as wind and solar, has only highlighted the folly of Germany’s energy decisions.

A Hearty Dose of Schadenfreude

For those who have consistently pointed out the inherent flaws in Germany’s energy transition, there’s a hearty dose of schadenfreude in witnessing the unfolding crisis. It serves as a stark reminder that energy policy should be rooted in reality, not swayed by popular but misguided narratives. Energy decisions, especially for a powerhouse like Germany, should be pragmatic, not driven by hypothetical fears and groupthink.

Conclusion

Germany’s energy quagmire offers a cautionary tale for the world. While some may be swayed by the siren song of renewable energy and alarmist rhetoric, it’s imperative to ensure energy security and stability. Over-reliance on any single energy source, especially a non-dispatchable, weather-dependent one, in the name of virtue signaling, is a perilous path. As Germany confronts its energy challenges, one can only hope that it serves as a lesson for other nations to prioritize pragmatism over popular but misguided narratives.

H/T John WG