Merkel Plans to Challenge Trump on Renewables in G-20 Forum

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, fresh from taking over the presidency of the Group of 20 nations, plans to use her leverage to challenge Donald Trump’s skepticism about the value of renewable energy by pointing out where it’s a viable business.

The strategy is aimed at reducing the risk that Trump will upend work by Europe and the rest of the G-20 to rein in greenhouse gases and advance the cause of low-pollution fuels, according to a senior German official.

Instead of gathering G-20 energy ministers and risk disagreements on policy, Germany will seek to keep the political gatherings focused on areas where business is earning returns from wind and solar farms, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t yet public.

Berlin Makes Breakthrough With State Governments in Renewable Energy Reforms

Germany's federal and state governments have succeeded in hammering out the framework of reforms for the country's renewable energy law. Talks in Berlin continued into the early hours.

Premier ministers of Germany's 16 states met in the Chancellery in Berlin on Tuesday evening to discuss the planned reform of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG).

Speaking to reporters early on Wednesday morning, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the talks had "come a long way."

Germany’s Renewable Energy Law Is About to Look More American

The next phase of Germany’s energy transition takes competitive markets into account.

As cost pressures mount in the German energy transition, the Merkel administration is proposing to abandon the feed-in tariff in favor of market-based policies for renewables.