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Decline in Renewable Energy Production in Germany by 5.9 Percent

Dip in energy output

Drop in Renewable Energy Production in Germany by 5.9%
Drop in Renewable Energy Production in Germany by 5.9%

Decline in Renewable Energy Production in Germany by 5.9 Percent

Germany's Electricity Generation in the First Half of 2025: A Mixed Picture

In the first half of 2025, Germany's electricity generation landscape showed a mix of stability, growth, and decline, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office.

Coal-fired electricity generation remained relatively stable, accounting for a 23.6% share, slightly down from 23.8% in the same period of 2024. On the other hand, the share of natural gas in total electricity fed into the German grid fell to 28.6%, a decrease from 30.6% in the same period of the previous year.

The decline in natural gas was counterbalanced by the significant increase in electricity generation from photovoltaics. Photovoltaics overtook natural gas and became the third most important energy source, with a 17.8% share, marking a 27.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The increase is primarily due to the addition of new installations and unusually many sunny hours.

Despite the growth in photovoltaic feed-in, the total electricity generated in the first half of 2025 remained relatively stable, with a 0.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024, totaling 221 billion kilowatt-hours.

However, the story is different for renewable energy sources, excluding wind and hydro. They collectively accounted for an increased share of 41% in total electricity fed into the German grid, up from 39.6% in the same period of 2024. This increase was offset by a decline in renewable energy production overall, which fell by 5.9% compared to the same period in 2024.

The decline in renewable energy production was primarily due to a decrease in wind power and hydroelectric power generation. Wind power generation decreased by 18.1% in the first half of 2025, primarily due to unusually weak wind conditions, and hydroelectric power generation declined by 4.5%.

Despite the decline in wind power, it remains the most significant energy source in German electricity production, accounting for a 27.2% share. The share of renewable energy in total electricity fed into the German grid fell to 57.8% in the first half of 2025, down from 61.6% in the same period of 2024.

The increase in conventional energy generation in Germany in the first half of 2025 is mainly due to a continued lack of progress in sector coupling (building, transport, industry) and the slow expansion of wind and solar energy compared to rising electricity demand, which together limit the ability of renewables to fully offset conventional sources.

The share of electricity generated from conventional energy sources such as coal and natural gas increased by 10.1% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching a share of 42.2%. This increase in conventional energy sources underscores the need for continued efforts to expand renewable energy capacity and improve sector coupling in Germany.

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