Germany renewable energy workers protest subsidy cuts

Several thousand renewable energy workers and environmental activists protested outside Germany's parliament in Berlin on Friday against planned subsidy cuts for the sector.

Employees from wind, solar and biogas companies joined environmental activists to pressure lawmakers as MPs consider proposals by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche. The plans include ending subsidies for smaller solar installations and making it less financially attractive to build renewable energy sites in some areas.

AFP journalists at the scene saw demonstrators carrying banners including “wind energy, powerful and strong” and “good energy, good jobs”.

Felix Rubitschek, an executive at wind project developer WestfalenWind, said what had been launched as a success story was being dismantled for “completely inexplicable reasons”.

Reiche, a member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right CDU party, has defended the proposals, saying green energy subsidies cost billions of dollars a year. She has also faced criticism for plans to build new gas-fired power stations, which she says are needed to control energy costs.

The renewable energy sector grew under the previous government, when the economy ministry was led by the Greens party. The current government's priorities include rebuilding the military and boosting the economy after years of stagnation.