Germany covers around 100 percent of power use with renewables for 1st time

Germany has crossed a symbolic milestone in its energy transition by briefly covering around 100 percent of electricity use with renewables for the first time ever on 1 January. At around 06:00 am on 1 January, a combination of strong winds and low demand after New Year's celebrations meant that wind power alone produced about 85 percent of Germany’s power consumption, according to data provided by the Federal Network Agency. Hydropower and biomass installations covered the rest, as there was no solar power generation before sunrise. But the data is preliminary and other estimates suggest renewables’ share was 95 percent rather than 100 percent.

For background, read the CLEW factsheet Germany’s renewable generation peaks remain shrouded in data fog.

Please note: The Clean Energy Wire will publish an article on this subject later today.