Historic Milestone: Germany’s Electricity Consumption 58% Powered by Renewables in H1 2024

In the first half of 2024, renewable energy sources covered approximately 58 percent of Germany’s gross domestic electricity consumption, marking a new milestone. This figure, derived from preliminary calculations by the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), represents a nearly six percentage point increase from the same period in 2023, which saw renewables at 52 percent.

Throughout the first half of the year, renewable energies consistently provided over half of the monthly electricity consumption. Since April, their monthly share has been 59 percent. Notably, photovoltaic (PV) systems produced significantly more electricity compared to the previous year, generating a total of 37 billion kWh. This surge is attributed to the record expansion of PV systems in 2023. In June 2024 alone, PV systems produced over 10 billion kWh, achieving this monthly output for the first time. Hydropower also contributed significantly, generating 12 billion kWh in the first half of the year.

Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board, highlighted the success of renewable energy expansion. “For the second time in a row, we are seeing a record share of renewables in electricity consumption. This is the reward for the persistent expansion of wind energy and photovoltaics in recent years,” Andreae stated. She emphasized the importance of developing infrastructures alongside renewables, including the expansion of electricity grids, storage facilities, and innovative concepts. “Green electricity is of no use to us if it cannot be used,” she added, urging the federal government to remove remaining obstacles.

Andreae also pointed to the critical role of hydrogen in the future energy system and the need for hydrogen-capable gas-fired power plants to ensure a reliable power supply during periods when solar and wind energy are insufficient.

Prof. Dr. Frithjof Staiß, Managing Director of ZSW, noted the feasibility of a nearly 100% renewable energy supply in Germany by 2035. However, he cautioned that the production of renewable energy systems is currently concentrated outside Germany and Europe. Staiß urged Germany to leverage the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act, passed in March 2024, to relocate the production of key renewable technologies to Germany, reducing dependence on external supplies.