Renewable Energy Accounts for 56% of Germany’s Electricity Consumption in Q1 2024

In the first quarter of 2024, renewable energy sources significantly increased their share of Germany’s electricity consumption. The latest estimates indicate that renewables now account for approximately 56% of the nation’s total electricity use.

This data comes from projections by the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW). From January to March, renewable energy facilities generated around 75.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, marking a rise of about 9% compared to the same period last year.

Wind turbines, particularly those onshore, played a crucial role, generating 39.4 billion kilowatt-hours. This output covered more than a quarter of Germany’s electricity needs. Additionally, hydroelectric power has also made a significant contribution, with 5.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity generated in recent months. This represents a 27% increase from the previous year, accounting for 4% of the total national electricity consumption.

Kerstin Andreae, the Chair of the BDEW’s Executive Management, commented on the progress, “The steadily increasing share of renewables in our electricity mix demonstrates that we are on the right track.” She highlighted that the expansion of renewable energy has seen considerable acceleration, which is now reflected in power production. However, Andreae emphasized the need for further efforts to achieve climate goals, stating, “We need to step up our game to meet our climate targets.”