Electricity in Germany in 2023/2024

As of the period from November 2023 to October 2024, Germany's electricity consumption is significantly oriented towards low-carbon sources. These clean energy sources account for over 60% of the electricity produced, making them a leading component of the energy mix. Wind energy contributes nearly a third of the total electricity, followed by solar power, biofuels, and hydropower, each providing around 10% or slightly more. Fossil fuels still present a substantial share, occupying over a third of the electricity generation, with coal being the dominant contributor at about 21%, and natural gas following with roughly 11%. Net imports make up a modest share, providing close to 5% of the total electricity. This distribution underscores the progress made in Germany towards a more sustainable electricity landscape, though it highlights room for improvement, particularly in reducing fossil fuel reliance to combat climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

Germany has strong potential for further enhancing its low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its wind and solar capacity, given their current substantial contributions. Learning from countries like Denmark, which generates nearly 60% of its electricity from wind, Germany can invest in further scaling its wind infrastructure. Furthermore, looking west, neighboring France exemplifies how nuclear energy can play a crucial role in a country's low-carbon mix, with a massive 67% of its electricity coming from this source. Incorporating nuclear energy more substantially could significantly bolster Germany's clean energy output, aligning it closer with similar European nations such as Slovakia and Czechia, which have made significant commitments to nuclear power. By adopting a balanced strategy that fortifies wind, solar, and nuclear segments, Germany can sustainably minimize its carbon footprint while ensuring energy security and independence.

History

Historically, Germany has seen a fluctuating journey in its low-carbon electricity generation, especially with nuclear energy. The late 1970s and '80s witnessed considerable increments in nuclear electricity, peaking in the mid-'80s. However, the 21st century has seen a marked decline, particularly post-2007, with substantial decreases recorded in several subsequent years, highlighting a move away from nuclear power. Contrastingly, wind energy has experienced positive growth, notably in the 2010s, with significant increases in 2015, 2017, and again in 2023 which contributed to the current energy mix's robustness. Solar and hydropower have also shown positive trends, with solar electricity increasing in 2022 and hydropower making significant contributions recently. Despite the nuclear setbacks, these advances in wind, solar, and hydropower illustrate Germany's capacity to embrace a future powered by clean energy.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources