In the first quarter of 2024, renewable energy facilities in Germany surged, generating approximately 75.9 billion kWh of electricity, covering a significant 56% of the nation's power consumption, as per preliminary estimates released by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) and the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW).
Compared to the same period last year, the first-quarter output witnessed a commendable 9% increase, showcasing the country's steadfast commitment to renewable energy growth.
Among the various renewable sources, onshore wind parks emerged as a powerhouse, contributing 39.4 billion kWh of electricity, surpassing a quarter of Germany's electricity demand. Hydropower facilities also made substantial strides, generating 5.3 billion kWh, marking a notable 27% increase from the previous year. Hydropower accounted for 4% of the nation's gross electricity consumption.
Breaking down the figures, biomass accounted for 12.8 billion kWh, photovoltaics contributed 9.6 billion kWh, and offshore wind added 8.7 billion kWh to the total renewable electricity production.
Commenting on the encouraging trend, BDEW president Kerstin Andreae emphasized, “The steadily increasing shares of renewables in electricity consumption show that we are on a good path. The expansion of renewable energies has recently picked up significantly. This is now reflected in electricity generation.”
However, despite the progress, Germany faces persistent challenges in meeting its climate targets. Andreae stressed the need for swift implementation of recently adopted measures aimed at accelerating the expansion of photovoltaics and other renewable energies. These measures encompass various sectors such as commerce and trade, residential buildings, and ground-mounted installations.
While the proportion of renewable power continues to rise, Germany's journey towards sustainable energy remains an ongoing endeavor, requiring concerted efforts and effective policy implementation to achieve its environmental goals.
