Energy policy and the energy economy in FR Germany : An overview

The article reports on the current status of West German energy policy, and in a sense it is a case study of a predominantly, though not purely, market-oriented approach. It presents some interesting facts and figures on the West German energy economy, and although written in an introductory fashion, leads the reader into the heart of current energy policy issues. The short retrospective demonstrates the remarkable success of the market-oriented approach to energy policy. The main current problems are the implementation of stricter environmental standards and the structural adjustments of the domestic coal and refining industries. A short discussion on future perspectives shows that total primary energy demand up to the end of the century is likely to remain stagnant, while further marked progress in energy efficiency can be expected.