( CNN ) -- As Germany 's switchover from nuclear power to renewable energy gathers pace , concerns are mounting over the cost to the country 's prosperity and its already squeezed consumers . Politicians in Europe 's largest economy want renewable power to contribute 35 % of the country 's electricity consumption by 2020 and 80 % by 2050 as part of its clean energy drive . The country 's `` energiewende '' -- translated as energy transformation -- is part of the government 's plan to move away from nuclear power and fossil fuels to renewable energy sources , following Japan 's Fukushima disaster in 2011 . Michael Limburg , vice-president of the European Institute for Climate and Energy , told CNN that the government 's energy targets are `` completely unfeasible . '' `` Of course , it 's possible to erect tens of thousands of windmills but only at an extreme cost and waste of natural space , '' he said . `` And still it would not be able to deliver electricity when it is needed . '' The government is investing heavily in onshore and offshore wind farms and solar technology in an effort to reduce 40 % of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 . Last year Chancellor Angela Merkel , who this week won her third term as Germany 's leader , proposed to construct offshore wind farms in the North Sea , a plan that would cost 200 billion euros ( $ 270 billion ) , according to the DIW economic institute in Berlin . As part of the energy drive , Merkel also pledged to permanently shut down the country 's 17 nuclear reactors , which fuel 18 % of the country 's power needs . Under Germany 's Atomic Energy Act , the last nuclear power plant will be disconnected by 2022 . Limburg told CNN the rapid transition to renewables is economically `` insane , '' arguing that wind farms will cost at least 13 times more than traditional coal plants . He added : `` Offshore wind is somewhat better in performance , cost and usability but still you have to spend six times as much as what you have to spend for a conventional power plant . '' Paying the cost of renewable energy . Germans are already facing some of the highest energy bills in Europe . According to the Institute for Energy Research , this year German electricity rates will increase by over 10 % due to a surcharge for using more renewable energy and a further 30 to 50 % price increase is expected in the next ten years . Blackouts are another problem facing Germany 's energy industry . With the bulk of wind turbines located in the east of the country , regional electricity grids face the threat of overloading , while the reliability of regular wind and solar power in northern Europe is also a concern . Claudia Kemfert , professor of energy economics at the German Institute for Economic Research , told CNN Germany 's continued use of coal and fossil fuels to power its industrial hubs is making investors nervous . She said : `` Politicians give the wrong signals . They say 'well , on the one hand , we would like to have the energy transition , on the other hand ... ' what they do or what they propose is the opposite . '' But Kemfert added that Germany is not in danger of an energy crisis and that a boom in renewables will have long term economic advantages . She said : `` North ( Sea ) wind farms can provide 25 % of electricity production . Onshore wind could produce a higher share . Offshore wind energy is important for North Germany as already a lot of jobs have been created . '' Germany is one of six European countries to invest in wind farms including the UK , Denmark , Sweden , the Netherlands and Belgium . And Stefan Bourgeois , head of regulatory affairs at the European Wind Energy Association , told CNN the sooner the continent moves away from `` dirty fuels , '' such as coal , the better . He said : `` The costs of offshore are ahead of us , that is true ... but the quicker everyone goes offshore the quicker the economies of scale and the costs come down . ''
German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to permanently shut down the country 's 17 nuclear reactors by 2022 . The government is investing heavily in wind farms and solar technology to reduce carbon emissions . Renewable power to contribute 35 % of the country 's electricity consumption by 2020 and 80 % by 2050 .