Over the past year, from December 2024 to November 2025, Germany's electricity generation landscape was characterized by a commendable reliance on low-carbon sources. More than half of the electricity, approximately 58.5%, came from clean sources, illustrating a strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Among these low-carbon sources, wind power accounted for about 27%, followed by solar power at nearly 17%, biofuels at almost 9%, and hydropower contributing a modest 5%. On the other hand, fossil fuels notably accounted for 38.92% of electricity generation, with coal at approximately 22% and gas at about 16%, highlighting areas for improvement in transitioning to cleaner energy.
Data sources used on this page include ENTSOE, Eurostat, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Germany?
Despite the substantial role of low-carbon electricity, Germany's total electricity consumption has seen a stark decline compared to its peak. As of 2025, the average electricity use stands at 5589 kWh per person, reflecting a significant decrease of 2316 kWh per person from the historic record in 2008. This decline in consumption is mirrored in the generation of low-carbon electricity, which is 3270 kWh per person, falling short of the 2019 record by 555 kWh per person. The reduction in both overall and clean energy consumption points to a worrying trend of stagnation which must be addressed to ensure sustainable energy growth for future demands, especially with increasing electrification and new technological advancements.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Germany should prioritize the expansion of existing wind and solar capacities. These technologies already provide substantial amounts of clean power and have the potential to push Germany closer to sustainable energy goals. Learning from regions like Denmark and South Dakota, which generate significant electricity from wind—55% and 56% respectively—can offer valuable insights for enhancing wind energy efficiency. Furthermore, to diversify its low-carbon portfolio, Germany can look towards countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power provides 68% and 67% of the electricity, respectively. Emulating such nuclear advancements can aid in significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuels and establishing a more robust and resilient clean energy sector.
History
Historically, Germany's journey towards low-carbon electricity has been marked with significant milestones. In the late 20th century, nuclear energy saw substantial growth, with notable increments in the early 1980s and late 1988. However, the post-2007 years witnessed a downturn in nuclear production, exacerbated by the 2011-2023 reductions, which undermined Germany's commitment to sustainable energy production. Concurrently, wind technology experienced notable expansions between 2011 and 2019, with remarkable growth spurts in 2015 and 2017. While nuclear declines have impeded progress, a resurgence in biofuels in 2025 and renewed efforts in boosting wind production highlight Germany's capacity to revive and expand its low-carbon electricity portfolio, setting a strong foundation for a sustainable energy future.
