Photo Gallery Germany's Energy Gap
Germany could be facing an "energy gap" in the next few decades if nuclear power stations go off line as planned and opposition continues to coal-fired plants.
German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel (right) and Economics Minister Michael Glos are at loggerheads over energy policy.
There is widespread opposition in Germany to the building of new coal-fired power plants, due to environmental concerns.
Greenpeace activists protest against a coal-fired power plant at Moorburg near Hamburg.
Germany is committed to phasing out nuclear power by 2022 at the latest. But many are predicting that climate change will lead to a renaissance for the controversial technology.
The Biblis nuclear power plant near Frankfurt is one of the first scheduled to go off line, in 2009.
A Gazprom pipeline in Siberia: Natural gas is attractive as an energy source as it is cleaner than coal. But German politicians are worried about becoming too dependent on other countries, especially Russia.
Renewables such as solar power are bound to play a greater role in Germany's energy mix in the future. But can they make up the shortfall?
