• Baden-Württemberg enjoys a leading position within Germany in the field of renewable energy. More than 1600 companies based n south-west Germany account for almost a fifth of the total turnover for the sector in Germany.

• As regards benchmarking of the 16 federal states, Baden- Württemberg is the winner of the German “Leitstern 2008” award in the category “renewable heat”. The south-west occupies the leading position in the promotion of heating systems based on wood, solar and geothermal heat.

• Baden-Württemberg has particularly great expertise in the field of photovoltaics. More than 6100 staff are employed in this sector and Baden-Württemberg thus enjoys a leading position in Germany. The pioneers of solar energy as well as the world‟s leading solar energy companies originate from Baden- Württemberg.

• In terms of wind power generation, Baden-Württemberg‟s strengths lie with its suppliers to companies working in the wind power sector. According to estimates, there are around 200 supplier operations in this federal state which develop and produce components for the wind industry, including companies such as Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH and Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG.

• In the hydropower sector, alongside several component suppliers, two of the world‟s leading specialists in hydropower plants are represented in Baden-Württemberg, namely Voith Hydro and VA Tech Hydro (ANDRITZ GROUP).

• Baden-Württemberg also plays a significant role in the field of “sustainable mobility”, particularly through research in the field of alternative propulsion systems such as electric and hybrid vehicles and fuel cell technologies.

As in the hydropower sector, Baden-Württemberg‟s competence in the fields of bioenergy and geothermal energy is based upon its strong supplier industry, alongside an innovative and highly efficient research network. In particular, mechanical engineering and knowledge-intensive services constitute two of the three largest fields of supply for the renewable energy sector.

• The political framework conditions for renewable energy are also favourable in Baden-Württemberg. The federal state‟s energy policy is based on a combination of energy sources, in which renewables play a central role. According to the “Energy concept for Baden-Württemberg 2020”, an extension of renewable energy is planned and this will account for at least 20% of energy production and at least 16% of heat provision by 2020. According to the plan, the share of renewable energy in primary energy consumption is set to be at least 12% by 2020. Baden- Württemberg is thus a leader within Germany in programmes and objectives for renewable energy and also in related promotional programmes.

* Total turnover from setting up and operating installations
Source: Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research of Baden-Württemberg (ZSW); statistics from working group on renewable energies (AGEE)