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In a groundbreaking shift, renewable energy sources contributed an unprecedented 59.7% to Germany’s net public electricity generation in 2023, according to a recent analysis by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. This surge was mirrored in the electricity mix from sockets, where renewables claimed a 57.1% share, marking a substantial milestone for the country.
Wind Power Dominates: Wind power emerged as the leading contributor, generating 139.8 terawatt hours (TWh) or 32% of the public net electricity. Onshore wind power rose to 115.3 TWh, surpassing the previous year’s production by 14.1%, while offshore production slightly decreased to 23.5 TWh. However, wind energy expansion fell behind the government’s plan, with only 2.7 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind installed by November 2023 compared to the targeted 4 GW.
Solar Power Surpasses Targets: Photovoltaic systems played a significant role, generating 59.9 TWh in 2023. The installed photovoltaic capacity exceeded expectations, reaching 13.2 GW by November, well above the planned 9 GW. Monthly solar power production hit a record 9 TWh in June 2023, with the peak solar output of 40.1 GW achieved on July 7, constituting 68% of electricity generation.
Hydropower and Biomass Hold Steady: Hydropower’s contribution increased from 17.5 TWh to 20.5 TWh, while biomass maintained a level of 42.3 TWh compared to 2022. The total renewable energy production reached around 260 TWh in 2023, a 7.2% increase from the previous year.
Coal-Fired Electricity Declines: The analysis revealed a sharp decline in coal-fired electricity generation, with lignite generation dropping by 27% and hard coal by 35%. Coal’s share in electricity production fell significantly after a spike in 2022, contributing to a more sustainable energy mix.
Rapid Development of Battery Storage: With the growing need for grid expansion and storage capacity, battery storage systems saw significant growth, doubling in installed capacity from 4.4 GW in 2022 to 7.6 GW in 2023. Storage capacity rose from 6.5 GWh to 11.2 GWh, reflecting the crucial role of batteries in buffering renewable energy fluctuations.
Decline in Exports and Electricity Exchange Prices: Germany experienced an import surplus of 11.7 TWh in 2023, a shift from the export surplus of 27.1 TWh in 2022. Lower electricity generation costs in neighboring European countries and higher CO2 certificate costs influenced this change. The average day-ahead electricity exchange price sharply fell to €92.29/MWh, returning to 2021 levels. |
