In the first six months of 2019, renewables covered a record 47.3% of the electricity consumed in Germany – which is 6% higher than in the same period last year – thanks to wind power production being consistently above average. This information is coming from preliminary data by energy industry association BDEW and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW). This means that around 15% less carbon dioxide was produced than in the same period last year, according to figures published by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in July.
Onshore wind power installations produced 18% more electricity, and offshore wind farms 30% more. Solar PVs also increased output by about 6% and natural gas has increased by 10%. However, generation from other renewables like hydro and biomass, on the other hand, fell by about 1%. Nuclear power remained unchanged. Black coal use fell by 30% compared to the first half of 2018, and lignite – a coal-like substance formed from peat – fell by 20%.
The German government aims to raise the share of renewables to 65% by 2030. The goal is part of its Energiewende drive to replace fossil and nuclear power generation. Although, there are concerns that renewables growth could be too slow to meet the country’s goals. There has recently been a drop in new wind power installations, caused by uncertainty following a shift to an auction-based system and growing popular resistance against wind farms.
In the midst of this confusion, energy industry groups, such as the BDEW, have called for action to revive new installations, while industry is lobbying for more ambitious expansion of offshore wind. Also, renewable industry groups want a cap on solar PV installations lifted. It is vital they all succeed if Germany is to carry through with its decision to phase out coal-fired power generation completely by 2038 and with chancellor Angela Merkel’s pledge to make the country carbon-neutral by 2050.
With a looming shift to e-mobility in the midst and attempts to make heating and cooling of buildings climate-friendly there is a constantly rising need for electricity. This only adds more pressure to speed up the expansion. Which is why the government plans to adopt the necessary legislation to raise the future volumes of auctioned renewables capacity by the end of 2019.
Stefan Kapferer, head of BDEW, has warned against the challenges ahead. He has renewed his call to reduce land use restrictions for solar and wind power because even with the current speed of expansion, Germany is only going to reach a 54% share by 2030. He said:
The renewables record is a welcome snapshot that should not cover up the underlying problems.
Carsten Körnig, German Solar Association (BSW) managing director, said the record must not distract from the fact that it is high time for the government to act. He said:
The climate cabinet knows we are heading for a severe slump in solar PV expansion during the first months of next year, unless the pending elimination of the support scheme for rooftop installations is canceled. Germany can only reach its climate targets by “unleashing” solar energy.
