When the Wind Didn’t Blow in Germany

A years-long renewables push leaves the economy hostage to the weather

WSJ editorial. Excerpts:

"Germany has invested so many hundreds of billions of euros in its green energy transition over the years that no one can tally the precise amount."

"Renewable sources made up some 47% of electricity consumption in Europe’s largest economy in the first three months of 2025, the energy trade association BDEW reported Thursday. That’s down from 56% in the first three months of 2024."

"The country has added 872 wind turbines with a capacity of 4.3 gigawatts since April 2024, yet wind-power output fell 16%."

"February and March were unusually wind-free"

"A lack of rain meant hydropower underperformed."

"These climactic conditions happen regularly"

"an overreliance on intermittent renewables tends to make it uneconomical to run natural-gas plants as a backup."