Indicator: Share of renewables in gross electricity consumption | Umweltbundesamt

At a glance

• Electricity accounts for around a fifth of the total final energy consumption. This share is set to increase in the future.
• The share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption rose from 6.3 % to 51.8 % between 2000 and 2023.
• The German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) stipulates that the share of renewable energies should increase to at least 80 % by 2030.
• If Germany achieves its ambitious expansion targets for renewable power plants, this target is realistic.

Environmental importance

In 2022, electricity accounted for only 20.2% of final energy consumption in Germany. However, heat generation and mobility are also set to rely increasingly on electricity in the future. The "share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption" is therefore a key climate and energy policy indicator.

Until just a few years ago, electricity generation in Germany was predominantly based on fossil and nuclear energy sources. Hard coal and lignite in particular caused high greenhouse gas emissions. By contrast, the switch to renewable energies in electricity generation has resulted in little to no greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, electricity generation can be largely based on domestic (renewable) resources.

Gross electricity consumption comprises the net electricity consumption used by so-called end consumers such as industry or private households as well as the power plants' own consumption and grid losses. As the indicator thus fully reflects the electricity system, it is a preferred political target indicator.

Assessing the development

Renewable electricity generation has developed rapidly in recent decades. The main reason for this was the subsidisation provided by the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) in Germany. In order to achieve Germany's climate targets, politics is focusing on a further sharp increase in the share of renewables in gross electricity consumption in the future. The 2023 amendment to the EEG specifies that the share should increase to at least 80% by 2030. The "Projection Report 2023 for Germany" (German, with English summary) scientifically investigated whether Germany can achieve its climate targets in 2030. The development of renewable electricity supply was also examined. The report shows that the share of renewables in electricity consumption could exceed 80% in 2030. However, this assumes that Germany achieves its expansion targets. So far, it is becoming apparent that this will be a major challenge, particularly in the area of wind power.

Methodology

The indicator compares gross electricity generation from renewable energies with total gross electricity consumption. The latter corresponds to gross electricity generation from all energy sources adjusted for the foreign trade balance. The data used are provided by the Working Group on Renewable Energy Statistics (AGEE-Stat, in German only) and Working Group on Energy Balances (AGEB).

More detailed information: „Stromerzeugung erneuerbar und konventionell“ and „Stromverbrauch“ (in German only).