Renewable Energy reaches 25%

The German Association for Energy and Water Management (Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft) has announced that in the overall electricity production renewable energy sources now account for a total of 25.1%. This early estimate refers to the first half of 2012.

The total electric energy produced by unconventional sources was 67.9 billion kWh. In comparison, for the first two quarters of 2011 the share was about 21% and it then decreased to 20% for the entire year. The biggest increase in electricity generation was seen in solar power, although wind generators still account for the majority of electricity produced by renewable energy sources in terms of kWh per year. Other sources such as hydro-energy and biomass have also stepped up production. In addition, the overall current consumption is about 1.4% lower than in the previous year. This is mainly due to the low manufacturing outcome in industries such as steel, chemical base materials and paper production.

However, the lower electrical energy consumption as well as the increase in electricity produced by renewable energy sources could not compensate for the cold months of February and April. As a result, the consumption of natural gas has increase by 0.4% in comparison to 2011 levels.