Munich, in line with Germany’s wider energy strategy, is now making headlines for its ambitious strides towards a sustainable energy future. By 2022, the share of renewable energy reached 90% - a remarkable feat that gives other municipalities a successful example of how decarbonization can be achieved. The city is on track to meet its goal of fully covering its power needs with green electricity by 2025. The municipal utility, Stadtwerke München (SWM), is at the forefront of this transformation. Operating around 60 renewable power plants in and around Munich, SWM generates approximately 6.3 billion kWh of electricity annually. This output is enough to meet 90% of the power needs of households, industries, trade, public sectors, as well as all trams, e-buses, and subway operations within the city. Its diverse portfolio includes solar, hydropower, wind, and geothermal plants, along with a biomass cogeneration plant, which outlines a modern, holistic approach to renewable energy. However, it’s the remaining 10% of the city’s energy needs that poses a significant challenge. SWM’s chief executive, Florian Bieberbach, notes that this will require considerable effort, especially as demand for electricity is expected to grow due to the rise of e-mobility and the wider use of heat pumps. Munich’s energy transition journey began in earnest in 2009, with a decisive move to phase out conventional power sources and expand renewable energy capacity. A critical component of SWM’s climate protection strategy is the planned shutdown of the coal-fired cogeneration plant Nord Block 2. Transitioning away from coal, the plant is now running on natural gas since the heating season of 2022/23. Natural gas is viewed as a transitional or bridge technology, with long-term plans to eventually power the plant using hydrogen or geothermal energy. Although there’s much more to be done, Munich’s energy industry has successfully evolved and achieved a high level of innovation.