Wind turbines in the »Odervorland« wind farm in the Oder-Spree district
Photo: Patrick Pleul
At around 47 percent, renewable energies covered almost half of gross electricity consumption in Germany this year.
That was around five percentage points more than in the previous year, according to the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries.
"The windy start of the year with record values in power generation from onshore wind energy and the sunny summer months were primarily responsible for the growth," it said.
The share of renewable energies in the total power generation – i.e. including the exported quantities – was around 45 percent and thus also around five points above the level of the previous year.
Wind power with the highest share
According to BDEW, a total of 574 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity were generated in the current year - two percent less than in 2021. 256 billion kWh came from renewables.
Wind turbines on land accounted for the largest share, generating almost 100 billion kWh.
Photovoltaic systems contributed 62 billion kWh and biomass almost 47 billion kWh.
While CO₂-free electricity generation in Germany is increasing proportionally, the consumption of coal is increasing worldwide - which, however, is not only used to generate electricity.
Also this Friday, the International Energy Agency reported that coal burning will set a new high in 2022.
The growing demand in Europe is also a factor, increasing by 1.2 percent.
It is the second year in a row that coal consumption has increased in Europe.
mamk/dpa-AFX
