EVs & Heat Pumps: The Real Alternatives for Germany — Ep199: Patrick Graichen

In February, Germany elected a new government. Friedrich Merz
emerged as the new leader, but what are his energy and climate
policies, and will Germany remain a climate leader in Europe and
beyond?


Joining Cleaning Up this week is Patrick Graichen, a former
Energy and Climate minister in the last government, representing
the Green Party. Prior to entering government, Patrick ran the
think tank Agora Energiewende, working on energy from 2001 to
2012. With his deep expertise Patrick offers unique insights into
the evolving political landscape and its potential impact on
Germany, Europe, and beyond. 


Patrick has witnessed how shifting public opinion can stall
progress, and was responsible for a highly contested policy to
phase out gas boilers and phase in heat pumps, which ultimately
caused him to quit government. Bryony Worthington asks Patrick
what he learned from that phase, and digs into the big questions
surrounding the German car industry, nuclear power and the future
of gas. 


Leadership Circle


Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its
founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, Davidson Kempner,
EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini
Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature
Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on
the Leadership Circle, please visit
https://www.cleaningup.live. 


Links


Agora Energiewende:  https://www.agora-energiewende.org

Patrick's Previous Appearance on Cleaning Up:
https://youtu.be/MBCX7aZcRWI 

Episode 154 with Kensa CEO, Tamsin Lishman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TpHa-uU6lc