Renewable Energy Share in Electricity Production Rises to Nearly Two Thirds

Recent data indicates a significant increase in the share of renewable energy sources in domestic electricity production, with renewables accounting for approximately 64.1 percent of all electricity generated between July and September. This marks a new record for this period, reflecting ongoing progress in the transition to sustainable energy sources.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, wind power contributed the largest portion among renewables, responsible for 26.8 percent of overall electricity output. Solar photovoltaics followed closely, delivering 24.1 percent. The main driver behind these record-high shares was the continued expansion of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic installations across the country.

Despite the strong performance of renewables, coal remained the third most significant source of electricity, accounting for 20.6 percent. However, coal's share showed a year-on-year decrease of nearly one percentage point, indicating a gradual decline in reliance on coal-fired power generation. Meanwhile, electricity generated from natural gas experienced a rise, reaching 12 percent of total production. The volume of imported electricity also declined by 11.9 percent during the same three-month period.

The data suggests that the energy transition remains on track, despite a temporary setback earlier in the year. In the first quarter, unfavorable weather conditions led to a significant drop in renewable energy output, which allowed fossil fuels to temporarily regain the lead. However, the following months saw a reversal of this trend, with renewables rebounding strongly. For the first half of the year, renewables contributed 57.8 percent of the electricity fed into the grid, while conventional sources, primarily coal, accounted for 42.2 percent. This share was still higher than the previous year, mainly due to the anomalous first quarter.

Further research has highlighted a growing trend in local energy consumption from solar installations. In 2020, owners of photovoltaic systems consumed 3.55 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity on-site. By the previous year, this figure had increased to 12.28 TWh, meaning that 17 percent of all electricity generated from solar panels was used directly at the source rather than being fed into the public grid. Factors contributing to this trend include high electricity prices, lower feed-in tariffs, and the increasing prevalence of solar systems equipped with dedicated storage solutions. The direct consumption of solar power is seen as beneficial for electricity networks, as it eases the burden on transmission infrastructure and supports local energy independence.

The steady increase in the proportion of renewable energy in electricity generation, combined with the decline in imported electricity and coal usage, signals ongoing progress in the shift toward a more sustainable and resilient energy system. Continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure and advancements in energy storage and grid management are expected to further strengthen this trajectory in the coming years.