The green power sources wind turbines and solar systems are playing an increasingly important role in Germany. Especially with a view to the dependency on Russian gas.
Strong winds in winter and lots of sunshine in spring have increased the proportion of green electricity in Germany. According to preliminary calculations by the BDEW industry association and the ZSW research institute in Stuttgart, renewable energies covered 49 percent of electricity consumption in the first half of the year.
That is 6 percentage points more than in the same period of the previous year. By far the most important source of green electricity are wind turbines on land, their share increasing from 17 to 21 percent. Solar systems increased from 10 to 12 percent, according to figures released on Tuesday.
Total electricity consumption in Germany fell within a year by 2 billion kilowatt hours to an estimated 281 billion. Sun, wind and other renewable sources generated 139 billion kilowatt hours, while conventional energy sources accounted for 159 billion kilowatt hours. Figures on the exact shares of coal, gas and nuclear power are not yet available. The difference between the total of 298 billion generated and the consumed 281 billion kilowatt hours was exported.
BDEW boss Kerstin Andreae called for a rapid expansion of renewable energies in view of the dependence on Russian gas. “They are the key to a green power and heat supply, an industry that produces hydrogen and climate-neutral mobility.” There is an urgent need for action, particularly in the case of onshore wind energy. “The biggest stumbling block here is still the lack of space.”
