Minister: Germany to generate more than 50% of its energy from renewables this year

Germany is likely to generate more than 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources this year. But it must accelerate the transition to this technology by the end of the decade. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said this today at a conference organised by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin, Reuters reported.

Given rising demand for electricity, renewable sources will have to account for 80 percent of electricity generation by 2030, Habeck said. “At the current pace, that won’t happen,” he added.

The economy minister, whose portfolio also includes energy and climate action, spoke about the boom in solar power. This year’s target of nine gigawatts of capacity is expected to be met. The expansion of onshore wind power is also progressing well, he said, with the full-year 2022 level reached by the end of July this year. However, the expansion of offshore wind power is being held back by a shortage of components needed to build the facilities, according to the minister.