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Germany Moves To Renewable Energy Sources

After the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan's northeastern coast that triggered the ongoing nuclear catastrophe at the Fukushima power plant, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised to bring an end to nuclear power in Germany and accelerate the switch to renewables.  In June this year, a law will be passed confirming Germany's exit from nuclear power which should be completed at the latest by 2022. Eight of Germany's oldest power plants were already taken off line in March 2011. Within the space of two weeks in March, Germany have become a net importer of electricity instead of a net exporter, importing its energy needs from neighboring France.  Malaysia could take advantage and tap the trade potential resulting from this move towards renewable energy sources. The main category of renewable energy relevant to Malaysia is of course biomass which includes bio-fuel produced from palm oil and other agricultural raw materials. Solar energies are also of direct interest to our bilateral trade as Malaysia is already a leading manufacturer of solar panels and modules. During the recent TIM to Berlin, Robert Bosch Solar has indicated interest to locate its solar panel manufacturing plant in Malaysia. This again could pave ways for Malaysian manufacturers of parts and components to be in their supply chain. Another approach to tap this market sector is for Malaysian companies in the renewable energy as well in energy saving sector to promote aggressively in specialized trade fairs in the renewable energy and power generation sector which are held annually in Germany.