Renewables covered more than half of Germany's electricity consumption in the first half of the year

Renewable energy production covered more than half of electricity consumption in Germany in the first half of this year. This is according to preliminary data from the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), cited by the DPA news agency.

According to the data, renewables accounted for 52 percent of electricity consumption in the first half of this year, three percentage points higher than in the first half of last year.

Onshore wind farms accounted for approximately 42 percent of renewable energy production, while solar power plants contributed more than a quarter. Biomass, offshore wind and hydropower plants also contributed to this generation.

Expanding electricity generation from wind and solar power plays a key role in the German government's strategy to meet climate targets and increase independence from fossil fuels such as coal and gas. Under government plans, renewables are to supply 80 percent of Germany's electricity in 2030. Electricity demand could rise significantly as electric vehicles and heat pumps are used more widely, DPA reported.