Decline in consumption has slowed
The decline in energy consumption in Germany has slowed. In 2024, primary energy consumption fell by 1.1 % to 10,538 PJ or 359.6 Mtce compared to the previous year (Figure 1). In 2023, the decline was still just under 8 %. According to calculations by the Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), energy consumption in Germany is currently just under 30 % below the previous peak of 14,905 PJ reached in 1990, and thus at a level that had been achieved in the old federal states at the beginning of the 1970s.
The warmer weather compared to the previous year reduced consumption in the heating dependent segment of energy consumption. Due to the continuing lack of economic recovery, economic developments had no significant consumption-increasing effects on energy consumption. According to the AG Energiebilanzen, however, continuing population growth and falling energy prices led to increases in consumption. In addition, special statistical effects resulting from the phase-out of nuclear energy and the gradual replacement of fossil fuels in electricity generation by renewable energies led to additional primary energy savings.
The consumption of mineral oil fell slightly overall in 2024 by 0.9 % to 3,843 PJ (131.1 Mtce). While petrol consumption rose by 2.4 %, diesel fuel consumption fell by 2.2 %. Sales of light heating oil were also down on the previous year, falling by 4.7 %. Sales of aviation fuel remained at the previous year’s level. By contrast, deliveries of raw benzene to the chemical industry increased by 13 %.
Natural gas consumption rose by 4 % in 2024 to 2,724 PJ (93.0 Mtce). The increase in demand is mainly attributable to lower prices, even though wholesale prices are still well above pre-energy crisis levels. Energy-intensive industries in particular increased their use of natural gas in 2024. Households and consumers in the trade, commerce and services sector consumed slightly less natural gas. Electricity generation from natural gas rose by around 3 %, while district heating from natural gas remained at the previous year’s level.
Hard coal consumption fell by a total of 10 % to 774 PJ (26.4 Mtce) in 2024. The use of hard coal in power stations for electricity generation declined by around 30 % as a result of an overall drop in electricity generation, increased electricity production from renewable energies and higher electricity imports from neighbouring countries. By contrast, sales to the iron and steel industry increased by around 7 % due to higher domestic pig iron production.
Lignite consumption fell by 10.2 % to 803 PJ (27.4 Mtce) in 2024. The decline in production largely mirrored the trend in deliveries to public utility power plants. This development reflects the increasing production of electricity from renewable energies and the reduction in lignite-fired power generation capacities as part of the ongoing phase-out of coal.
In 2024, 24 bn kWh (88 PJ) more electricity was imported from abroad than exported from Germany. This means that Germany was once again a net importer of electricity. Exports fell by 8 %, while imports rose by 16 % compared with the previous year. The current import surplus is a sign of a functioning European internal market. Higher electricity imports do not mean dependence on other European countries, nor do they indicate domestic shortages.
The contribution of renewable energies increased by a total of 1.1 % to 2,103 PJ (71.8 Mtce) in 2024. This development is due in particular to an increase in electricity production from hydropower and photovoltaics (PV), while wind power generation declined by around 2 % due to weather conditions. Overall, the contribution of renewable energies to electricity generation rose by 2 %. Due to the warmer weather, however, the use of renewable energies in heat generation fell by around 1 %.
In 2024, mineral oil (36.5 %) and natural gas (25.9 %) continued to dominate the national energy mix. With a share of 20 %, renewables consolidated their third position. Hard coal and lignite now account for just over 7 % of domestic energy consumption. Germany has been a net importer of electricity since March 2024. Net electricity trade with neighbouring countries covers just under 1 % of domestic energy consumption. Other energy sources, primarily non-biogenic waste, account for just under 2 % of energy consumption. Nuclear energy has not contributed to Germany’s energy supply since April 2023.
The calculations recently presented by the Federal Environment Agency on the development of national greenhouse gas emissions, including COâ‚‚ emissions, are based on the 2024 estimate compiled by the AG Energiebilanzen. According to this, COâ‚‚ emissions in Germany will fall by 21 Mt in 2024.
The estimated balance sheet now presented by the AG Energiebilanzen includes the latest figures on the production, import and consumption of fossil and renewable primary energies as well as final energy consumption by sector and area of application. (AG EnergieÂbilanzen/Si.)
