Clean power plants produce nearly 50% of Germany’s electricity output in H1 2022
Clean Energy Wire
Renewables have increased their power output in Germany to 49 percent in the first half of 2022, according to first estimates published by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). Electricity production with wind turbines, solar panels and other renewable power installations grew 14 percent compared to the same period the year before. In the heating sector, significantly warmer weather led to a reduced need for heat and at the same time fossil fuels were increasingly replaced with renewable energy due to the rising price for oil and gas, the UBA said. The transport sector increased its use of biofuels and electricity by 11 and 14 percent, respectively. However, greater mobility allowed by the subsiding pandemic also increased the use of fossil fuels in transport, the agency added.
Renewables produced a total of 137 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity between January and June thanks to both better weather conditions and also additional capacity compared to 2021, particularly in the solar PV segment, which increased output by 22 percent. In May and June, solar PV installations alone supplied as much power to the grid as all gas and hard coal plants combined. Wind power provided about half of total renewable power production.
Germany’s government coalition parties recently agreed measures meant to achieve a faster expansion of renewable power within the next years. The biggest reform in over 20 years should lay the groundwork for a climate neutral energy system and greater independence from energy imports.
