Energy consumption fell to a historic low in Germany this year, renewables covered 20%

Primary energy consumption in Germany continues to fall. Warm weather, the ongoing economic downturn and improved energy efficiency brought a year-on-year decline of 1.3% to 10 478 PJ. That is 30% lower than in 1990 and roughly the same amount of energy as West Germany alone consumed in the early 1970s. Clean Energy Wire reported.

Coal and lignite consumption in the power generation sector fell year on year in 2024 by 12.5% and 10.6%, respectively. This was due to the continued shift away from coal, an overall decline in electricity generation and further growth in renewable electricity generation. The decline in coal use also helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation by 9% year on year, to a level 60% below that of 1990.

Renewable energy sources accounted for around 55% of electricity generation this year, roughly two percentage points more than a year earlier. Wind power remained the largest source of “renewable” electricity, despite less favourable conditions, particularly in the final quarter.

“It is very pleasing that renewables already reliably cover more than half of electricity consumption,” said Kerstin Andreae, head of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW).

According to Clean Energy Wire, German customers paid less for both electricity and natural gas than in 2023. However, prices for both commodities remained above levels seen before the energy crisis broke out. The price decline likely contributed to a 3% increase in natural gas consumption.

In the overall energy mix, oil remains the largest source of primary energy, accounting for around 37%. Natural gas follows at 26%. Renewables covered around 20%, with biomass use accounting for almost half of that share.