Over the last 12 months, from August 2024 through July 2025, Germany has relied chiefly on low-carbon electricity, with over 61% of its electricity coming from clean sources. Wind energy accounts for almost a third of the total, with a generation share of about 28%. Solar energy also contributes substantially, generating approximately 16% of the electricity. Hydropower and biofuels add up to about 17% combined, which helps solidify the clean energy mix. Fossil fuels, however, still account for nearly 37% of electricity production. Coal and gas are the primary fossil energy sources, contributing around 24% and 13% respectively. Net imports of electricity are relatively minor at 1.5%, indicating that most of Germany's electricity is domestically produced.
Is Electricity Growing in Germany?
Recent data indicates a concerning decline in the overall electricity consumption per person in Germany. As of 2025, the consumption rate stands at 5352 kWh per person, a notable decrease from the peak consumption of 7906 kWh per person in 2008. This suggests a decline in electricity availability or economic activities that demand electricity. Additionally, there's been a reduction in low-carbon electricity generation per person, which has decreased from 3825 kWh in 2019 to 3276 kWh in 2025. Such declines are troubling signs, especially at a time when increased clean electricity generation is crucial for sustainable development and addressing climate change mitigation.
Suggestions
Germany must act decisively to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation. Given the strong performance of wind and solar energy in the country, these technologies should be the primary focus for expansion. Learning from countries with successful low-carbon strategies can be valuable. For instance, Denmark's remarkable success in wind energy, where wind accounts for 57% of its electricity, presents a model for maximizing wind generation. Germany could also consider adopting nuclear energy like France, where nuclear power provides 69% of its electricity. As nuclear energy offers a stable and reliable clean energy source, still undervalued in Germany, it could be instrumental in transitioning towards a greener energy future. Expanding solar generation by learning from Lebanon, which generates 31% of its electricity from solar, can also drive progress toward sustainable growth.
History
Historically, Germany has seen investments in various low-carbon technologies with fluctuating levels of output. The vibrant growth of nuclear energy in the late 20th century, such as the 34.3 TWh increase in 1985, set a booming precedent. However, reductions in nuclear output from 2007 onwards, like the significant drop of 32.6 TWh in 2011, have severely impacted the low-carbon share. The wind energy sector experienced substantial gains, especially with increases such as the 25.8 TWh in 2017 but also faced setbacks like a decline of 18 TWh in 2021. Recent progress in hydropower, with an increase of 15.6 TWh in 2025, is encouraging and signifies the potential to strengthen this sector. Germany must accelerate its commitment to expanding all low-carbon technologies. These measures are essential to satisfy growing electricity needs without employing fossil fuels that exacerbate problems like climate change and air pollution.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.