Germany's Renewable Energy Journey: 200+ Green Projects Now Tourist Attractions
Germany's Renewable Energies Agency has published a guidebook, 'Germany: Experience Renewable Energies', highlighting over 200 green projects as tourist attractions. The second edition follows the success of the first, showcasing the country's commitment to energy. The guidebook features unique sites like the Holtriem wind farm in Lower Saxony. Tourists can climb 297 steps to an observation platform on one of its turbines, enjoying views of the North Sea and East Frisian islands. Meanwhile, Juehnde village in Lower Saxony has achieved full energy self-sufficiency and shares its experience through the New Energy Centre. Several cities and municipalities are making strides in energy. In Saxony-Anhalt, local involvement in wind and photovoltaic projects boosts acceptance. Hamburg aims for climate neutrality by 2040, documenting progress through official strategies. Ferropolis, an open-air museum, combines echoes of the past coal mining industry with solar-powered summer music festivals. Germany's energy generation has tripled in the last decade, providing a quarter of the country's electricity and about 380,000 jobs. Iconic landmarks like the Reichstag in Berlin also embrace energy, with a sunlight-reflecting cone and heat exchanger reducing power consumption. Even a former nuclear plant in Kalkar, now an amusement park called 'Wunderland Kalkar', attracts over half a million visitors annually. The guidebook, available in German for €16.99, may see an English version if demand is high. It offers insights into Germany's energy journey, from successful projects to unique attractions, demonstrating the country's commitment to sustainability and green tourism.
