EnEcCo

In September 2010, the German government adoptet its energy concept under the title "Energiewende". It aims to achieve an energy supply based predominantly on renewable energies by 2050. For the electricity sector, a corresponding target of at least 80% is established by law. This transformation comes with various challenges: On the one side, the renewable energies have to be expanded and energy efficiency must increase. On the other side, the heat and mobility sectors have to be decarbonised, with electricity based on renewable energies playing a major role. To achieve the targets, it will be necessary especially for the incumbants to make considerable efforts.

The consequences of the Energiewende have already great impact on the energy industry:
The increasing share of electricity from renewable energies has led to more volatile prices at a lower price level as well as to shorter operating times and thus to lower revenue opportunities for conventional power plants. Political developments and strategic mistakes led to high depreciation and losses, which increasingly burden the balance sheets of many “conventional power generators”. For them, the competitive situation has deteriorated significantly and has already led to considerable restructuring within the Group.

The aim of this project EnEcCo is to gain scientifically sound insights into the economic situation and development prospects of energy supply companies in Germany. Ernst & Young (EY) is the main actor in this project. In cooperations with the Büro für Energiewirtschaft und technische Planung (BET), they primarily analyse market, operational and regulatory influencing factors and interdependencies with regard to their impact on the energy industry. The Wuppertal Institute has the task of deriving ideas for the economic future prospects of energy supply companies.