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Clean Energy Wire
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Clean Energy Wire

Berlin-based energy journalism outlet; primary English-language source on German energy transition.

Last refreshed: 22 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Is Clean Energy Wire independent enough to report objectively on Germany's gas plant programme?

Timeline for Clean Energy Wire

#1014 May
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Common Questions
What is Clean Energy Wire and is it independent?
Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) is a Berlin-based non-profit journalism service covering Germany's energy transition and European energy policy. It is funded by the European Climate Foundation, Stiftung Mercator, and other philanthropic donors. CLEW operates without a paywall and publishes in English, making it the primary English-language reference for German Energiewende reporting.Source: Lowdown European Energy Markets
Where can I find English-language news about German energy policy?
Clean Energy Wire (cleanenergywire.org) is the most comprehensive English-language source for German energy transition news, publishing daily factsheets, analysis, and news reports. For official government positions, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs publishes English summaries. Reuters and Bloomberg cover major German energy policy events internationally.Source: Lowdown European Energy Markets
Is Clean Energy Wire biased in favour of renewables over fossil fuels?
CLEW's funders (European Climate Foundation, Stiftung Mercator) are climate-focused philanthropies, which gives it an editorial orientation towards energy transition coverage. Its reporting is factual and cited as a source by Reuters and mainstream outlets, but its framing generally assumes the Energiewende as a policy framework rather than subjecting it to fundamental critique.Source: Lowdown European Energy Markets

Background

Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) is a Berlin-based independent journalism service covering Germany's Energiewende and European energy policy. Founded in 2014, funded by European Climate Foundation, Stiftung Mercator, and other philanthropic donors. Publishes in English and German; free access, no commercial energy advertising.

CLEW was the primary English-language source for confirmation that Germany's 12 GW hydrogen-ready gas-plant tender programme had been formally agreed between Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and the European Commission. The reporting carried the detail that the first auction opens in 2026, with rounds in 2027 and 2029/2030, and that the confirmation resolved three years of SPD-blocked legislative delay. As the authoritative English-language source on Energiewende policy, CLEW is a Lowdown primary-tier reference for German domestic energy developments.

More questions
When was Clean Energy Wire founded and who funds it?
Clean Energy Wire was founded in 2014 as part of a push to make Germany's energy transition legible to international audiences. It is principally funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF) and Stiftung Mercator, two major European philanthropies focused on climate and energy, with additional donor support. It publishes without a paywall.Source: Lowdown European Energy Markets
What is Clean Energy Wire and who funds it?
Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) is a Berlin-based independent journalism service covering Germany's energy transition. It is funded by philanthropic donors including the European Climate Foundation and Stiftung Mercator, with no commercial energy company advertising.Source: CLEW institutional information
What did Germany agree with the EU about new gas power plants?
Germany's Economy Minister Katherina Reiche confirmed in May 2026 that a 12 GW hydrogen-ready gas-plant tender programme has been formally agreed with the European Commission. First tenders open in 2026, with rounds in 2027 and 2029/2030; plants must be hydrogen-ready and decarbonised by 2045.Source: European Energy Markets, Update #10
Why has Germany's gas plant programme been delayed for three years?
SPD environment-ministry objections within the Coalition blocked the 12 GW hydrogen-ready gas tender programme for three years. The confirmation by Economy Minister Reiche in May 2026 resolved the Coalition-level dispute.Source: Clean Energy Wire / European Energy Markets, Update #10
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