Thousands Demonstrate in Munich for Renewable Energies, Criticize Minister Reiche
Munich, April 18 – At least 7,000 people took to the streets of Munich on Saturday to protest for a rapid expansion of renewable energies and against reliance on fossil fuels. Organizers claimed a turnout of 12,000 in Munich and over 80,000 nationwide. The demonstrations were primarily directed at Federal Minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche (CDU), whose policies are perceived as hindering the energy transition.
The protest, held under the slogan “Defend Renewable Energies!”, was called by Bund Naturschutz in Bayern (BN), Fridays For Future Munich, Greenpeace Bayern, and the Umweltinstitut München. According to police estimates, around 7,000 individuals participated in Munich, while organizers reported 12,000. Protesters demanded an end to fossil fuel dependency and a significant policy shift from Minister Reiche.
Calls for Accelerated Expansion and Electricity Tax Reduction
Demonstrators and speakers at the event accused Minister Reiche of endangering the success of the energy transition and favoring fossil fuels. BN state chairman Martin Geilhufe described Reiche’s grid package as “part of a concerted general attack on nature, environment, and climate.” He urged the federal government not to stifle the expansion of wind and solar energy.
The Munich rally commenced at Siegestor, concluding at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs on Prinzregentenstraße. Notable speakers included astrophysicist Professor Harald Lesch and musician Hans Well. Beyond a faster pace in solar and wind power development, organizers called for a reduction in electricity tax for all consumers. The ongoing conflict in Iran, they argued, underscores how independence from fossil fuels increasingly determines security and stability.
Nationwide Protests: Over 80,000 Participants According to Organizers
Similar demonstrations took place in Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne. Organizers reported a total of over 80,000 participants across Germany, with approximately 30,000 in Cologne and 24,000 in Berlin.
In Berlin, climate activist Luisa Neubauer spoke in front of the Federal Ministry of Economics, denouncing an “undermining of the energy transition.” She emphasized that the issue was not the affordability of climate-friendly policies but rather the “preservation of fossil habits and fossil power.” Neubauer highlighted the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change, stating, “Even a VW factory cannot produce in a flood, whether one wants to admit it or not.”
Grid Bottlenecks Cause Billions in Costs
In 2025, the costs of so-called congestion management increased by four percent to almost 3.1 billion euros, according to the Federal Network Agency. This rise is attributed to grid bottlenecks, as often more green electricity is produced on sunny or very windy days than can be utilized. Consequently, gas or coal-fired power plants in Southern Germany, which produce particularly expensive electricity, are frequently activated. Simultaneously, operators of green electricity plants receive financial compensation for “curtailed” electricity.
Minister Reiche plans to eliminate compensation for new wind or photovoltaic parks in grid areas with a particularly high proportion of unused green electricity.
Munich Police Busy with Multiple Gatherings
Munich police were heavily deployed on Saturday due to several simultaneous gatherings. While energy transition advocates assembled at Siegestor around midday, several hundred opponents of abortion and euthanasia demonstrated at the nearby Königsplatz. This latter event was accompanied by a counter-demonstration from the left-wing scene, which saw a large police presence.
Source: br.de
