German energy emissions up 4% in 2021 as economy recovers, first estimates show

Energy-related CO2 emissions in Germany are estimated to be four percent higher in 2021 than in the previous year, as overall energy consumption grew while the share of renewables in total energy consumption saw a slight decline, energy data organisation AG Energiebilanzen (AGEB) has said. Overall energy consumption in Germany is expected to increase by three percent this year, mainly because of the general economic recovery after the Covid19 pandemic lockdowns, but also due to higher heating energy demand during the very cold spells at the start of the year. At the same time, a significantly lower wind power supply due to calm weather meant that renewable electricity was substituted with conventional energy sources such as coal and nuclear power. The AGEB calculations, based on the first nine months of 2021, show that both the absolute and temperature-adjusted consumption values are still noticeably below 2019 levels.

Consumption of nuclear power, hard coal, lignite and natural gas all increased significantly while the use of mineral oil decreased. Renewable energies reduced their contribution to primary energy consumption by two percent in the first nine months. Their share in total energy consumption fell to 16.1 percent (from 16.9% in first nine months 2020), with wind power generation declining by 18 percent on land and 14 percent at sea. Solar PV remained at the same level as the year before and biomass consumption increased by three percent. Germany remained a net power exporter during the first nine months of 2021.