The illusion of geopolitical independence through the energy transition

Oil and gas prices are rising, diesel is threatening to become scarce, and hardly a day goes by without the media and politicians emphasizing that the reaction to the energy cost shock can only be an acceleration of the energy transition. This - so the promise - not only serves climate protection, but also creates geopolitical independence.

“The more renewable energy we produce, the less we are dependent on other countries,” explained the former Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck (Greens). Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) speaks of “freedom from the stranglehold of foreign powers and geopolitical crises”. What seems obvious at first glance does not stand up to closer inspection.