Berlin, Germany – Renewable energy sources have made impressive progress in the first three quarters of 2023, accounting for approximately 52% of Germany’s gross electricity consumption. This represents a remarkable increase of nearly five percentage points compared to the previous year. These preliminary findings come from the research conducted by the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW).
Between March and September, renewable energy consistently accounted for 50% or more of the country’s electricity consumption each month. Notably, May and July saw the highest contributions, with renewables covering 57% and 59% of the demand, respectively. This increase in the share of renewables is partly attributed to reduced overall electricity consumption, which positively impacts the renewable energy percentage. However, even in absolute terms, renewable energy production saw a notable rise, reaching 199 billion kWh, nearly 4% higher than the previous year. June set a new record for photovoltaic power generation, producing 9.8 billion kWh of solar energy, marking a significant 16% increase from the same month in the previous year.
Digging into the Numbers
In the first three quarters of 2023, preliminary calculations indicate that Germany’s gross electricity generation amounted to 373 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), a 13% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year (Q1-3 2022: 429 billion kWh). Of this, approximately 199 billion kWh came from solar, wind, and other renewable sources (Q1-3 2022: 192.5 billion kWh). Specifically, nearly 78 billion kWh originated from onshore wind, almost 56 billion kWh from photovoltaic sources, close to 33 billion kWh from biomass (including biogenic municipal waste), nearly 16 billion kWh from offshore wind, and almost 14 billion kWh from hydropower. In contrast, conventional energy sources and nuclear energy contributed approximately 174 billion kWh, a decrease from the nearly 237 billion kWh produced in the same period the previous year.
Germany‘s impressive progress in renewable energy generation is not only a testament to its commitment to sustainability but also a promising sign for a greener future. As the nation continues to embrace renewable energy sources, other European and global nations are watching closely, anticipating further milestones and advancements on this remarkable journey towards energy independence a more sustainable energy landscape.
Original BDEW press release in German can be found here: official BDEW press release.
