Electricity production via coal experienced a raise yet again

In the first half of 2024, Germany's electricity production saw a significant shift, with both renewable and conventional energy sources contributing to the mix.

According to legal requirements, the share of renewable energies in Germany's electricity production should increase to 80% by 2030. However, the first half of 2024 saw a decrease in the share of renewable energies, dipping by 3.8 points to 57.8%. This decline was primarily due to a relative lull in wind power production compared to the same period last year. Wind power production in Germany decreased by 18.1% to 60.2 billion kilowatt-hours (first half of 2024).

Despite this decrease, wind power remained the most significant energy source, accounting for 27.2% of German electricity production. Photovoltaics accounted for 17.8%, and production of other alternative energy sources like photovoltaics increased significantly in Germany (first half of 2024).

The total amount of electricity produced in Germany grew by 10.1% to 93.2 billion kilowatt-hours. Despite the growth, more electricity was imported than exported, resulting in a surplus of 8.3 billion kilowatt-hours.

The overall share of conventional energy sources in Germany's electricity production increased by 3.8 points to 42.2%. The share of coal in Germany's electricity production increased from 20.9% (first half of 2023) to 22.7% (first half of 2024). Coal continued to be the second most produced energy source, albeit with a share of less than wind power (27.2%).

The share of gas in Germany's electricity production also increased from 14.5% (first half of 2023) to 16.2% (first half of 2024). Despite the increase in conventional energy sources, the total amount of electricity from renewable sources still exceeded that of conventional sources in the first half of 2024.

The total demand for electricity in Germany for the first half of the year was 229.2 billion kilowatt-hours, an increase of 0.4%. The total electricity generated in Germany for the first half of the year increased by 0.3% to 220.9 billion kilowatt-hours.

Germany experienced a rise in coal-based electricity production to 22.7% in the first half of 2025 (not 2024), despite legislation aiming for conventional energy sources to reach 80% by 2030. This highlights a gap between political goals and energy reality, as reliable fossil power plants remained necessary to prevent power outages.