Renewable energy including solar and wind generation or an atomic opt out is highly complex in Germany. Following deregulation and consumer activity, many suppliers offer electricity but the Ruhr continues to reveal some of the highest energy costs in Europe.

When expats rent a house or flat, the cost of electricity is not normally included in the additional charges, Nebenkosten. Often originating from the late eighteen hundreds, many Stadtwerken are the local utilities company of choice in the Ruhr region.