What does Germany’s energy transition look like up close? From 20–27 September 2025, delegations from Thailand travelled to Berlin to find out.
Over one week, participants explored how Germany is reshaping its energy system — from high-voltage grids and hydrogen technologies to community-owned renewable villages. Organised by CASE, the dialogue and study trip created space for Thai and German partners to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen cooperation.
This photo essay takes you behind the scenes of the journey, showing where lessons from Germany can help inspire Thailand’s own clean energy future.
“We kicked off the study trip with a warm welcome session. Thai delegates were introduced to the programme, shared their expectations for the trip, and got to know one another before it officially began.”
“At the German Energy Agency (dena), Thai delegates learned about Germany’s energy transition — from coal to renewables — and dena’s role as a key energy policy advisor to the German Government. Delegates appreciated the independent advisory body, and discussed the importance to of evidence-based policy-making.“
“Thai delegates met with 50Hertz, one of Germany’s four transmission system operators, to exchange knowledge on renewable integration, national grid expansion, and case studies of offshore wind interconnection. The lessons were highly relevant for Thailand as it plans future grid development and prepares for large-scale renewable integration to meet its carbon neutrality targets.”
“Thai delegates engaged with Agora Energiewende and NewClimate Institute — Berlin-based climate and energy transition think tanks, and consortium partners of CASE — to discuss global trends in long-term energy planning and the role of the EU ETS in accelerating Germany’s energy transition. The visit served as valuable input do understand the German “Energiewende” – where it came from, where it is now, where it is going – and what to learn from it.”
“Thai delegates engaged with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) to learn about Germany’s experience in regulating energy networks, supporting renewables, and managing grid expansion for the energy transition. The delegates were especially interested in the independence and transparency of BNetzA as regulator, to ensure competitiveness and level playing field in the country”
“Thai delegates visited the European Energy Exchange (EEX) in Leipzig, Europe’s leading energy market operator. They learned how EEX designs and manages electricity trading — from spot to futures markets — and observed real-time transactions on the electricity futures platform. Delegates highlighted data sharing as a key success factor of the German electricity market”
“In Feldheim, the only German village with a 100% carbon-neutral and independent energy supply, Thai delegates saw how residents, businesses, and the municipality jointly built an energy system combining wind, solar, battery storage, and biogas. The visit demonstrated how local ownership and participation can deliver both energy security and community benefits. The delegates were interested to explore how such an idea could also be set-up in Thailand.”
“Thai delegates met with the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), the umbrella association representing Germany’s renewable energy industries. The discussion highlighted BEE’s role in advocating for supportive policies, uniting diverse sectors, and driving renewable growth as a cornerstone of Germany’s energy transition. Delegates also learned about Germany’s Power-to-X initiatives and how biogas can play a crucial role in both the power and transportation sectors.”
“At Stoff2, an innovative German hydrogen start-up, Thai delegates learned about new electrolyser technologies designed to reduce hydrogen production costs and increase efficiency. The system harnesses low-cost renewable electricity by converting and storing it, before releasing the stored energy to generate green hydrogen on demand. The visit highlighted how entrepreneurial innovation is shaping the future hydrogen economy and supporting the broader energy transition.”
“At the GIZ office in Berlin, Thai delegates took part in a bilateral meeting with Philipp Quitmann, Senior Country Manager at GIZ. The session included an introduction to GIZ and CASE, reflections on the study trip, and an exchange on opportunities for future cooperation to support Thailand’s energy transition.”
“At the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), Thai delegates engaged in a high-level dialogue on Germany’s energy transition and German–Thai cooperation. They reflected on lessons from the study trip, discussed the need for international support, and exchanged perspectives on Thailand’s Power Development Plan. As BMWE noted: “Fossil fuels create dependency, whereas renewable energy creates independence.”
Cards on the board, ideas flowing — the Thai delegation ended their week in Berlin with a reflective session at GIZ. In a fruitful discussion, participants shared what inspired them, explored how Germany’s lessons could translate into Thailand’s context, and left with concrete actions to carry forward in their own work.
