Renewable energy accounted for 49% of German gross domestic electricity consumption in the first half of 2022, up 6 % compared with the data last year.
According to preliminary calculations by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) and the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), Germany produced about 139 billion kWh of green power in the first six months of 2022.
With higher sunshine intensity and wind speeds in the first half of 2022 in Germany, renewables production gains 13.5% from a year earlier. Onshore wind turbines made up the largest share, contributing 59 billion kWh, while offshore wind, solar, hydro, and biomass generated 12 billion kWh, 33 billion kWh, 9 billion kWh, and 24 billion kWh, respectively.
Germany aims to become carbon neutral by 2045 and has set the preliminary targets of cutting emissions by at least 65% by 2030. Germany needs to roll out more zero-carbon renewables.
Kerstin Andreae, managing director of BDEW, urged the government to provide suitable sites and specify the legal framework faster. She highlighted that there is an urgent need for action, especially when it comes to the expansion of onshore wind, for the biggest obstacle is the lack of areas.
Frithjof Staiss, managing board member of ZSW, said Germany needed to lessen its dependency on Chinese photovoltaic hardware by producing more of its own.
