German Electricity

Germany is a leader in electricity production, with a significant focus on renewable energy sources, and is undergoing a major energy transition known as the Energiewende.

Electricity Production and Sources

• In 2024, Germany produced 488.5 TWh of electricity, with 59.4% coming from renewable sources. The breakdown of renewable energy sources includes:

  • 31.1% from wind power
  • 12.1% from solar power
  • 8.4% from biomass
  • 3.4% from hydropower and other renewables .

• The country has completed its nuclear phase-out as of 2023 and is in the process of phasing out coal and fossil gas, aiming to eliminate coal by 2038 or earlier .

Energy Transition (Energiewende)

• The Energiewende is Germany's policy initiative aimed at transitioning to a low-carbon, nuclear-free energy system. This includes increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix and improving energy efficiency .

• Despite the growth in renewable energy, challenges remain, particularly in the transmission of electricity from the wind-rich northern regions to the industrial south. The development of new high-voltage electricity highways is ongoing but has not kept pace with the rapid growth of renewable energy production .

Carbon Emissions and Imports/Exports

• In 2024, Germany's average carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed were 363 grams of CO2, a reduction from previous years .

• Germany is also a significant player in electricity trade, being the second-largest exporter of electricity globally, exporting 70,237 GWh and importing 51,336 GWh in 2021 .

Current Challenges

• The main challenge facing Germany's electricity sector is the bottleneck in power transmission lines, which hampers the efficient transfer of renewable energy from production sites to consumption areas .

• Additionally, the country is working on improving its grid infrastructure to accommodate the increasing share of variable renewable energy sources, which require more sophisticated management to balance supply and demand .

Germany's commitment to renewable energy and its ongoing energy transition make it a key player in the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions.