Germany Achieves Milestone’s in Renewable Energy Production
Overview
In 2023, renewable energies power over half of Germany’s electricity consumption, a 5 percentage point increase from the previous year. This is a monumental step as months like July, May, October, and November showcased high peaks in renewable electricity generation, with record-breaking figures in solar and onshore wind energy. Lower overall electricity consumption contributed positively to the renewable energy quota, reaching 52 percent, while the total renewable energy production surged by 6 percent to 267.0 billion kWh. Leaders emphasized the crucial need for continued policy support and global scaling of renewables, particularly for green hydrogen and direct air capture systems, to meet climate targets and foster a sustainable energy future.
Summary
In 2023, renewable energies powered over half of the electricity consumption in Germany, marking a significant milestone. Germany is the first country to reach this goal. Preliminary calculations revealed that renewables accounted for 52 percent, a 5 percentage point increase from the previous year. June hit a record in photovoltaic electricity generation, reaching 9.8 billion kWh. Additionally, onshore wind energy achieved a new annual record of 113.5 billion kWh. Key targets include relying on renewable energy sources for 65% of gross electricity; however, 35% of the country’s total primary energy consumption.
Source Unsplash
Lower electricity consumption played a role in boosting the renewable energy quota, but absolute production also surged, hitting 267.0 billion kWh—an impressive 6 percent increase from the previous year. Kerstin Andreae, BDEW's Chairwoman, highlighted the progress, emphasizing the need for continued policy support to remove barriers hindering renewable expansion. Prof. Dr. Frithjof Staiß from ZSW stressed the necessity for a colossal expansion of renewables, especially for green hydrogen production via electrolysis and scaling up direct air capture systems to meet the demand for climate-neutral hydrocarbons.
The shift away from fossil fuels, championed at the World Climate Conference, underscores the critical need for renewable energy expansion on an unprecedented scale. Staiß emphasizes the necessity of renewable energy scaling not just in Germany but globally to achieve climate targets and secure a sustainable future. The call for pragmatic policies and technology advancements resonates throughout, indicating the urgency and collaborative efforts required across all levels to reach a climate-neutral energy landscape.
Source:
https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/DEU
https://esgnews.com/renewable-energy-milestone-over-50-of-2023s-electricity-sourced-sustainably/
