Adapting energy infrastructure to climate change – Is there a need for government interventions and legal obligations within the German “Energiewende”?

Abstract

The energy sector is considered a critical infrastructure. Important questions to be answered are, how climate change will affect the security of energy provision in the future. Based on an analysis of the available relevant literature the major vulnerabilities of the German energy sector are identified. Focusing on power generation and grid infrastructure we analyze whether adaptation measures, if necessary, are taken voluntarily or if governmental interventions are needed and justifiable. We show that governmental interventions are justifiable regarding measures to adapt the grid infrastructure.