In 2024, Germany's electricity landscape showcases a mix of low-carbon and fossil energy sources. More than half of the country's electricity consumption is derived from low-carbon sources, accounting for about 55%. Wind energy is the leading contributor, providing almost 27% of the electricity, followed by solar power, which contributes over 14%. Smaller contributions come from biofuels and hydropower, generating just over 9% and 4.6%, respectively. Fossil fuels still play a significant role, contributing a little over 40% of Germany's electricity, with coal being the largest contributor in this category at nearly 26%. Natural gas also remains a major source at slightly above 14%. Net imports make up the remaining portion of the electricity mix, contributing just over 5%.
Is Electricity Growing in Germany?
Germany's electricity consumption has experienced a notable decline over the past years. The latest data for 2024 shows an electricity consumption of 5935 kWh per person, a significant decrease from the 7906 kWh per person recorded in 2008. This represents a reduction of nearly 2000 kWh per person. Moreover, the generation of low-carbon electricity also saw a reduction. The latest numbers reflect a generation of 3237 kWh per person from low-carbon sources, compared to the previous record of 3825 kWh per person in 2019, marking a drop of nearly 600 kWh per person. This downward trend raises concerns about Germany's ability to meet future electricity demand, especially as the world progresses towards greater electrification.
Suggestions
To boost Germany's low-carbon electricity generation, expanding existing wind and solar capacities could be a strategic step, considering their current significant contributions. Additionally, Germany could learn from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power contributes significantly to their electricity mix at 68% and 62%, respectively. Denmark serves as an exemplary model for wind energy, with over 50% of its electricity coming from wind power. Emulating such successful strategies, Germany could diversify its green energy portfolio, combining expanded nuclear capacity with wind and solar energy to secure a sustainable and reliable electricity supply for the future.
History
Historically, Germany's low-carbon electricity generation has seen various shifts. In the late 20th century, particularly in the 1980s, nuclear power experienced substantial growth with increases in electricity generation. However, beginning in the 2000s, there was a critical downturn in nuclear production, notably with significant decreases in 2007 and thereafter, raising concerns about energy security and commitments to clean energy. Conversely, wind energy saw progressive growth in the 2010s, with substantial increases in generation during the mid to late decade. Solar energy also made gains recently, particularly in 2022, indicating a positive trajectory for these technologies. Despite setbacks in nuclear, the growth in wind and solar generation marks a promising avenue for ongoing low-carbon electricity development.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.