By Diane Alter

Berlin, Germany

Germany's railway company Deutsche Bahn has been criticized in the past for its lack of renewable energy plans. But no more.

The company has a commitment to be carbon free by 2050. Deutsche Bahn is responding to public sentiment following the near-nuclear meltdown in Japan earlier this year.

Germany's government shut down eight of its oldest nuclear power plants following Fukushima's nuclear disaster. The remaining nine plants are scheduled to be shut down by 2020. The government also increased incentives for renewable energy projects, and Deutsche Bank responded.

Currently Deutsche Bahn uses 20 percent renewable energy to power its trains and operations.

By 2014 its goal is to increase the amount to 28 percent. By 2050, the rail company aspires to be powered 100 percent by renewable energy.

Deutsche Bahn, a large landowner, is expected to expand its investment in wind power, use solar panels on thousands of railway stations and increase the amount of hydroelectric power it purchases.

Railways use 2 percent of the electricity in Germany, making them one of Germany's largest consumers of energy.

 

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World - Germany's Rail Set to Run on 100 Percent Renewable Energy | Global Viewpoint