Germany: village produces 500% of energy needs from renewable sources

Wildpoldsried, a small town in the Bavarian region with about 2,600 inhabitants, is leading the German renewable energy movement. In recent years, this village has invested in a holistic range of renewable energy projects, which include 4,983 kWp photovoltaic energy, biogas installations 5, 11 wind turbines and a hydroelectric system.

As a result, the village passed a long energy independence and currently produces 500% more energy than it needs, benefiting from sales to national energy network.

The renewable energy projects in Germany have grown enough in recent years, driven by Government subsidies that allow you to lower costs, reduce energy independence from fossil fuels and nuclear power production. Such a transformation is known in the country as "Energiewende" or "energy transition." As a result of this investment, the Germans should soon meet 30% of energy needs from renewable sources.

At the local level, Wildpoldsried far exceeded the national success. The commitment to renewables officially started in 1999. The initial aim of the village was to produce 100% of the energy they need from renewable energy in 2020, referred to Inhabitat. But the local community has expressed enthusiasm and projects have advanced much faster than expectations. In 2011, was producing Wildpoldsried 321% more than the energy needed and receive €4,4 million from the sale of energy.

Foto: kuberok / Creative Commons

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