AG Energiebilanzen

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 CO₂ emissions, are based on the 2024 estimate compiled by the AG Energiebilanzen. According to this, CO₂ 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 Energie­bilanzen/Si.)

Energy consumption in Germany has fallen to a historic low in 2023. The Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), Berlin/Germany, expects a decrease of 7.9 % to 10,791 PJ or 368.2 Mtce (Figure 1). This means that the consumption of primary energy in Germany is more than a quarter below the previous peak in 1990, according to the AG Energiebilanzen.

The decline in economic output in Germany had the greatest influence on the fall in energy consumption. The energy-intensive industrial sectors in particular recorded declines in production, which had a noticeable impact on energy consumption. According to calculations by AG Energiebilanzen, the slightly warmer weather over the course of the year compared to the previous year only had a weak effect on reducing consumption. Adjusted for the weather, energy consumption would have fallen by around 7.4 %. The only consumption-increasing effect in 2023 came from demographic developments. Due to the influx of 1.35 million people, the total population grew to just under 85.5 million people.

The consumption of mineral oil fell by 5.5 % to 3,879 PJ (132.4 Mtce) in 2023 compared to the previous year. While the consumption of petrol increased by 2.3 %, the consumption of diesel fuel fell by a good 4 %. The consumption of aviation fuel rose by 3.9 %. In contrast, sales of light heating oil fell slightly by 2.3 %. Deliveries of crude petrol to the chemical industry fell by 16.7 %.

Natural gas consumption fell by 4.3 % to 2,641 PJ (90.1 Mtce) in 2023. The decline in demand affected industry as well as private households and the trade, commerce and services sector. Slightly more natural gas (+ 1 %) was used to generate electricity compared to the previous year. The production of district heating from natural gas fell by 2 %. The weather had only a minor influence on the development of consumption. Rather, the fall in consumption is primarily due to savings made by consumers.

Hard coal consumption fell by 16.9 % to 937 PJ (32.0 Mtce) in the reporting period. Power plants reduced their fuel consumption by a good 30 %. In contrast, the demand for coal and coke in the iron and steel industry only fell relatively slightly by 2.1 %.

At 912 PJ (31.1 Mtce), primary energy consumption of lignite in 2023 was 21.9 % below the previous year’s level. Deliveries of lignite to power plants for general supply fell by 23 %. Electricity generation from lignite was around 25 % down on the previous year. This development was due to the general decline in electricity consumption in Germany, the reduction in additional generation capacity as part of the gradual phase-out of coal, the increase in electricity production from wind turbines and higher electricity imports from neighbouring countries.

Electricity generation from nuclear energy fell by almost 80 % in 2023. The sharp decline is due to the shutdown of the last three nuclear power plants and their final decommissioning on 15th April 2023. Since this date, nuclear energy has no longer contributed to the energy supply in Germany.

In 2023, 9.2 bn kWh more electricity was imported from abroad than exported. This made Germany a net importer of electricity again for the first time since 2002. Exports fell by 24 % in 2023 compared to the previous year, while imports rose by 38 %.

The contribution of renewable energies increased by a total of 2.3 % to 2,118 PJ (72.3 Mtce) in 2023. Electricity generation from renewable energies grew by around 5 %. The main reason for this development was the significantly higher electricity production from onshore wind energy plants (+ 15 %), particularly in the second half of the year. In the case of solar energy, there was only a slight increase in electricity production (+ 1 %) despite a strong increase in the number of PV systems. Electricity generation from hydropower increased by 11 %. Biomass, which accounts for more than half of the total PEV of renewable energies, fell 4 % short of the previous year’s figure.

The energy mix of the German energy supply continues to be characterised by a broad range of energy sources. However, as a result of energy and climate policy decisions and requirements, there is a constant change in the shares of the individual energy sources. Nuclear power reduced its share to a marginal residual amount in 2023 after the three remaining plants were phased out. Hard coal reduced its share of the energy mix by just under one percentage point and lignite by 1.5 percentage points. By contrast, there were slight increases in the share of mineral oil and natural gas by 0.9 percentage points each. Renewable energies increased their contribution to the energy mix the most, by just under two percentage points.

According to estimates by AG Energiebilanzen, energy-related CO₂ emissions fell by a good 10 % in 2023 as a result of lower overall consumption, particularly in the case of fossil fuels. This corresponds to a reduction in the order of 66 Mt. (AG Energiebilanzen/Si.)

Energy consumption in Germany in the first six months of the current year was around 7 % lower than in the same period last year. According to preliminary calculations by the Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), domestic primary energy consumption reached 5,561 PJ or 189.7 mtce in the first half of 2023. This was 7.1 % less than in the first half of the previous year (Figure 1).

According to the AG Energiebilanzen, the high energy prices and the weak economic development are responsible for the considerable decline in consumption. The weather had little effect on increasing consumption in the first half of the year. Only the population increase in the course of the current refugee movements caused an increase in energy consumption, which, however, was significantly lower than the consumption-reducing effects.

The AG Energiebilanzen assumes that prices essentially determine the course of energy consumption. Although quotations on the energy markets have declined noticeably compared to the first half of 2022, the price level is still significantly higher than in 2021. Energy prices, according to the AG Energiebilanzen, thus continue to develop impulses for saving energy, albeit at a slightly weaker intensity. In its analysis, the AG Energiebilanzen distinguishes between current, behaviour-related energy savings and investments in energy efficiency with longer-term effects. The consumption-reducing effects of the overall economic development are also currently strongly influenced by the significantly reduced production output of the energy-intensive industries (chemicals, metals, paper and glass). While the production of the entire manufacturing sector stagnated in the first five months of the year, the energy-intensive industries recorded a minus of 13 %.

The consumption of heating energy was only slightly influenced by the weather conditions in the first six months. Temperatures in the reporting period were somewhat lower than in the same period last year. However, in the first three months, which are particularly important for heating demand, it was warmer than in the previous year. Adjusted for the slightly consumption-increasing effect of the weather, energy consumption would have fallen by 7.6 % in the first half of the year.

The consumption of mineral oil decreased by 2.0 % in the first six months of the current year (Figure 2). While the consumption of petrol rose by just under 6 %, there was a slight decline of just over 1 % in diesel fuel. Sales of aviation fuel increased by 7.5 %. The supply of raw petrol to the chemical industry decreased by almost 20 %. Sales of light heating oil, on the other hand, rose by 16 % because many consumers increased their stocks.

Natural gas consumption decreased by 10.1 % in the first half of 2023. On the one hand, the decline is due to the lower use of natural gas in industry. On the other hand, consumption by household customers and small businesses was around 10 % below the long-term average. According to preliminary calculations, electricity generation from natural gas fell by about 4 %, and the generation of district heating decreased by a good 2 %.

The consumption of hard coal decreased by 10.8 % in the first half of the year. The use in power plants recorded a decrease of almost 19 %. Changes in fuel prices and the lower demand for electricity led to a reduction in the use of coal in power plants. Sales of hard coal to the iron and steel industry decreased by 2 % in the reporting period. This showed that carbon-intensive oxygen steel production fell by only 1.7 %, while electric steel production declined by 13 %, as high domestic industrial electricity prices are not competitive by international standards.

The consumption of lignite decreased by about 18 %. This decline is largely in line with the development of deliveries to public supply power plants and is mainly due to the significant drop in domestic electricity consumption as well as favourable generation conditions in neighbouring countries. Despite the high decline, lignite remained the second most important electricity generation energy in Germany after renewables, with a share of just under 18 %.

Electricity generation from nuclear energy fell by 57 % in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year. The decline in production is due to the stretch operation of the last three nuclear power plants in Germany (Neckarwestheim 2, Emsland and Isar 2) and their final decommissioning on 15th April 2023.

Electricity deliveries abroad in the first half of the year were 3.1 bn kWh higher than the electricity volumes flowing into Germany from abroad. In the same quarter of the previous year, the electricity exchange balance was still 17.3 bn kWh. In the second quarter of the current year, Germany became a net importer with an import surplus of 6.4 bn kWh. Germany’s higher import balance is considered a sign of a functioning European internal electricity market. Germany was able to benefit in part from cheaper generation options in neighbouring countries. In addition, weather conditions temporarily ensured higher electricity generation from hydropower in the Alpine region and Scandinavia. In addition, the expansion of renewable energies in other European countries progressed and increased the supply. Finally, the decommissioning of the last three nuclear power plants in Germany and the higher availability of nuclear energy in France compared to the previous year are also reasons for the import surplus in the second quarter of 2023.

The contribution of renewable energies increased slightly by 0.6 % in the first half of 2023. Electricity generation from renewable energy sources decreased slightly by 1 %. The provision of heat increased by 5 % and there was a 3 % increase in the transport sector.

The somewhat less favourable weather compared to the previous year caused slight decreases in both photovoltaics (-1 %) and wind power generation (-3 %). Electricity generation from biomass decreased by 4 %. Hydroelectric power, on the other hand, increased by 9 %. AG Energiebilanzen assumes that environmental heat harnessed by heat pumps increased by about 13 % and the use of wood by private households and in the commercial and service sectors grew by about 7 % in the first half of 2023.

According to a preliminary estimate by AG Energiebilanzen, energy-related CO₂ emissions fell by more than 8 % in the first half of 2023 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. This corresponds to a reduction in the order of 28 Mt. (AG Energiebilanzen/Si.)

 

Energy consumption in Germany reached a level of 11,769 PJ or 401.6 Mtce in 2022. This corresponds to a decrease of 5.4 % compared to the previous year. Energy consumption thus fell to its lowest level since reunification, writes Arbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen (AG Energie­bilanzen), Berlin/Germany, in its Annual Report 2022 (Figure 1). The development of energy consumption and the use of the various energy sources (Figure 2) in the reporting year were significantly influenced by the war in Ukraine. The halt in Russian gas imports, the rise in energy prices, measures to combat an impending energy crisis and gas shortages had a drastic impact on the supply and consumption of energy sources in Germany, the AG Energiebilanzen continued.

The milder weather compared to 2021 also had a significant influence on the decline in primary energy consumption (PEC). Without the consumption-reducing temperature influence, energy consumption would have fallen by only 4 % compared to the previous year, according to calculations by AG Energiebilanzen. Apart from the months of September and December, it was consistently warmer in 2022 than in the previous year. It was also significantly warmer compared to the long-term average (1990 to 2021). Only in May and September were the outdoor temperatures below the long-term average. The mild temperatures contributed significantly to the fact that a critical escalation on the energy market could be avoided.

Factors increasing consumption in 2022 included economic development and population growth. The overall economic performance increased by 1.9 %. The economic slowdown was thus noticeably less than expected and there was an increase in consumption in the order of 135 PJ compared to the previous year. An increase in energy consumption of about 94 PJ resulted from the increase in population by about one million people.

According to the assessment of the AG Energiebilanzen, the price development on the energy markets last year caused a noticeable reduction in consumption. The import prices for crude oil, natural gas and hard coal rose by an annual average of 58 to 179 %. Consumer prices rose by 87 % for heating oil, 65 % for natural gas and more than 20 % for electricity.

The energy and climate policy framework conditions again had a not inconsiderable influence on the development of consumption for the individual energy sources in 2022. At the national level, further steps towards a complete phase-out of nuclear energy, the beginning of the coal phase-out and the continued promotion of renewable energies led to changes in the energy mix. At the European level, the emission ceilings of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) as well as the overarching climate protection goals have an impact on the level and composition of energy consumption in Germany.

According to calculations by AG Energiebilanzen, overall economic energy productivity improved by around 7.7 % in 2022. This value is significantly above the level of the long-term average for the period from 1990 to 2022 of around 2.3  %/a. According to AG Energiebilanzen, the drastic increase in energy prices in particular has led to additional energy savings and substitutions for many consumers. However, growth losses in the commercial economy, especially in energy-intensive sectors, as well as statistical effects in the primary energy assessment of renewable energies also had an influence on the development of energy efficiency.

On the basis of preliminary energy balance data, the AG Energiebilanzen assumes that energy-related CO₂ emissions decreased by around 1.3 % last year. This would correspond to a decrease of around 8.2 Mt.

In the area of electricity and heat generation, CO₂ emissions probably increased by around 4.8 % or 9 Mt. Decreases in electricity generation from nuclear power and natural gas were offset by increased use of hard coal and lignite, which led to an increase in CO₂ intensity in this sector. The increased provision of electricity from renewable energy sources could not offset this effect. In the transport sector, increased fuel consumption also caused an increase in CO₂ emissions. Here, the increase was 7.7 % or more than 11 Mt. In the manufacturing industry, however, emissions were reduced by about 10Mt. CO₂ emissions from private households fell by around 4.5 Mt, mainly due to the temperature effect and consumers’ efforts to save. This corresponds to a reduction of 5.3 % compared to the previous year.

The consumption of mineral oil increased by a total of 2.9 % to 4,156 PJ (141.8 Mtce) in 2022. The share of mineral oil in total PEC increased to 35.3 % (previous year 32.5 %). The consumption of petrol increased by 3.8 %, diesel fuel only showed a slight increase of 0.5 %. Sales of light heating oil increased by more than 9 %, as many consumers stocked up despite the price development. Sales of aviation fuel again rose strongly by almost 44 %. Deliveries of raw petrol to the chemical industry, on the other hand, decreased by around 4 %.

Natural gas consumption decreased by 15.7 % to 2,783 PJ (95.0 Mtce) in 2022. The share of natural gas in total PEC fell to 23.6 % (previous year: 26.6 %). Thus, the European goal of reducing natural gas consumption by 15 % to compensate for the import ban on Russian natural gas was fully met by Germany. Demand for natural gas from industry fell by 17.3 %. Consumption by private households fell by 13.5 %. The power and heating plants reduced their use of natural gas by 16.7 %, and there was a drop of 17.3 % in the provision of heat.

To secure the natural gas supply, the underground storage facilities connected to the German natural gas grid were filled as a matter of priority after the lowest filling level of just under 25 % was reached in mid-March 2022. Due to low temperatures, the withdrawal phase began in the first half of December. At the end of the year, the filling level of the natural gas storage facilities in Germany was still just over 90 %. On 21st December 2022, natural gas was fed into the domestic gas grid for the first time via the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven.

The consumption of hard coal increased by 4 % in 2022 and reached a level of 1,156 PJ (39.4 Mtce). The use of hard coal in power plants, which accounts for about half of total consumption, increased by more than 16 %. The use of hard coal in the iron and steel industry, on the other hand, declined slightly by 2.2 %. The share of hard coal in total PEC increased from 8.9 % to 9.8 %. The increased use of hard coal in electricity generation helped to compensate for the reduced use of natural gas in power plants and benefited from the further decline in nuclear energy.

The consumption of lignite increased by 3.5 % to 1,174 PJ (40.1 Mtce). Compared to the average of the past five years, however, lignite continued to follow the downward trend. Almost 90 % of domestic lignite production went to general supply power plants. Electricity generation from lignite rose from 110 to 116 TWh, covering about one fifth of domestic electricity demand. Lignite had a share of 10.0 % of total PEC in 2022 (previous year: 9.1 %).

Nuclear energy almost halved its electricity production to 34.7 bn kWh in the reporting period. The contribution of nuclear energy to PEC fell to 379 PJ (12.9 Mtce). This development was caused by the decommissioning of the power plant units Grohnde, Brokdorf and Gundremmingen with a combined capacity of 4,058 MW. The installed capacity of nuclear power plants in Germany thus decreased to 4,055 MW. Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act opened up the possibility of operating the remaining three power plant units (Neckarwestheim 2, Isar 2 and Emsland) for three and a half months longer than originally planned. In 2022, nuclear energy had a share of 3.2 % (previous year 6.1 %) of total energy consumption.

Renewables increased their contribution to PEC in 2022 by 3.8 % to 2,023 PJ (69.0 Mtce). The share of renewables in total PEC reached 17.2 % in 2022 (previous year 15.7 %). The favourable weather conditions for wind power generation and the historic peak in solar irradiation had a significant influence on this development. Compared to the low wind year 2021, wind power generation increased by 8.5 % in 2022. Wind power thus remained the most important energy source in the German electricity mix in 2022. Electricity generation from photovoltaic plants covered more than 11 % of gross electricity consumption in Germany for the first time in 2022. In contrast, electricity generation from biomass remained almost constant in 2022. Due to the widespread drought, electricity generation from hydropower decreased by 11 %.

There were noticeable shifts in the energy mix for 2022. Mineral oil remained the most important energy source with a share of 35.3 % (previous year 32.5 %), followed by natural gas with 23.6 % (previous year 26.6 %). Hard coal accounted for a share of 9.8 % (previous year 8.9 %). Lignite increased its share to 10.0 % (previous year 9.1 %). The contribution of nuclear energy was 3.2 % (previous year 6.1 %). Renewable energies expanded their share of total energy consumption to 17.2 % (previous year 15.7 %).

Domestic energy production (Figure 3) recorded an increase of about 2.2 % to 3,647 PJ (124.4 Mtce) in 2022.

The extraction of natural gas and crude oil declined again. In contrast, renewables, which are included in the domestic energy sources, recorded an increase of 3.8 %. Lignite also increased by a similar amount. Hard coal has no longer been produced in Germany since the end of 2018. Overall, energy production from domestic resources was able to cover 31 % of total consumption. In the previous year, the share was 28.7 %. The most important domestic energy source is now renewables with a share of 55.6 % (previous year 54.7 %). It is followed by lignite with 32.7 % (previous year 32.3 %).

The detailed report of the AG Ener­gie­bilanzen on the development of PEC in 2022 is available for download on the website of the AG Energiebilanzen (www.ag-energiebilanzen.de).
(AG Energiebilanzen/Si.)

The noticeable slowdown in economic growth, mild weather and significant energy savings against the backdrop of sharply rising prices have led to a 3.5 % decline in energy consumption in Germany in the 1st half of the current year. According to preliminary calculations by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen (AG Energiebilanzen), Berlin/Germany, domestic primary energy consumption reached 5,950 PJ or 203.0 Mtce in the 1st half of 2022 (Figure 1).

The AG Energiebilanzen assumes that the high energy prices have led to energy savings with short-term effects on the one hand, but on the other hand also trigger savings with long-term effects because investments in reducing energy consumption are more worthwhile. Economic growth, which fell to 1.5 % in the first half of the year, had only a minor consumption-increasing effect. Without the consumption-reducing effect of the mild weather, energy consumption would have fallen by only 0.5 % according to calculations by AG Energiebilanzen. Taking into account the temperature effect and the further reduction in consumer stocks, energy consumption would even have risen slightly in the first half of the year. Positive impulses came from economic growth and demographics, which were more than compensated for by the price-driven savings effects.

The consumption of mineral oil in the first six months of the current year was 7.3 % higher overall than in the same period of the previous year. All mineral oil products recorded increases: The consumption of petrol rose by 5.7 %, diesel fuel increased by 3.5 %. Sales of aviation fuel rose strongly by more than 60 % and deliveries of crude petrol to the chemical industry increased by more than 6 %. Sales of heating oil increased by slightly more than 10 %. The overall increase in mineral oil consumption, but especially the growth in sales of aviation fuel and heating oil, is largely due to a statistical base effect, as sales in the first quarter of 2021 slumped sharply due to the pandemic, among other factors.

Natural gas consumption decreased significantly by almost 15 % in the first half of the current year. The main reason for this development was the milder weather and the high price level. In addition, the use of natural gas for power generation decreased because renewable energies made higher contributions – especially in the 1st quarter.

The consumption of hard coal increased by 9.2 % overall. The use of hard coal in power plants increased by 26 %. This development was influenced by the changed competitive situation on the European electricity market. The iron and steel industry reduced its demand by 5 %.

The consumption of lignite was 10.6 % above the level of the same period of the previous year, but about 5 % below the comparative value for 2019 and thus continues to follow the longer-term reduction path. In the first two months of the current year, the high production of electricity from wind turbines caused a decline in lignite-based electricity generation, but from March to June the demand for electricity from lignite-fired power plants increased significantly, as less electricity from wind turbines was fed into the grid. In addition, electricity from lignite-fired power plants replaced part of the electricity generation from nuclear power plants that were shut down at the end of 2021 and contributed to security of supply on the European electricity market.

In the reporting period, electricity generation from nuclear power decreased by more than half compared to the first half of the previous year. The sharp decline is due to the decommissioning of the plants in Grohnde, Brokdorf and Gundremmingen and the associated reduction in installed capacity from 8,113 to 4,055 MW.

The contribution of renewable energies increased by 4.7 % in the 1st half of 2022. With exceptionally good wind conditions, especially in February, wind turbines increased their contribution by 18 % in the first half of the year. In contrast, hydropower plants delivered 1 % less electricity than in the same period last year. Solar energy was able to increase by 20 %. Biomass, which supplies more than half of the renewable energy consumption, experienced a slight overall decline of 2 % due to weather conditions.

According to preliminary calculations by AG Energiebilanzen, energy-related CO₂ emissions increased by around 1 % in the first half of the year, as the declines in electricity generation from nuclear energy and in the use of natural gas for electricity generation were primarily offset by hard coal and lignite. (AG Energiebilanzen/Si.)

In 2021, energy consumption in Germany reached 12,193 PJ or 416.1 Mtce (Figure 1). This is a rise of 2.6 % compared to the previous year. However, the Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), Berlin/Germany, states energy consumption is still noticeably below pre-Covid levels which indicates that energy and overall economic development in Germany is still heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences.

Factors in favour of increased consumption in 2021 included the economic recovery as well as the cooler weather conditions compared with the previous year. Overall economic performance increased by roughly 2.4 %. During the last quarter of the year, however, almost no more impacts based on economic development could be observed on energy consumption since supply bottlenecks, a weakening construction trajectory and the running out of catch-up effects led to a stagnation in the economic recovery. The increase in primary energy consumption (PEC) was seriously impacted by significantly cooler outdoor temperatures compared with 2020. When adjusted to take account of the weather, the AG Energie-bilanzen calculates that energy consumption would only have risen by 0.6 %.

According to the AG Energiebilanzen’s estimation, the energy markets’ price trend in the year now ending led to a significant drop in consumption. In particular, the prices of natural gas and crude oil rose very sharply compared with the previous year. The price of CO₂ emission certificates more than doubled compared with the previous year and reached historic levels towards the end of the year. The higher energy and CO₂ prices have, according to the AG Energiebilanzen, noticeably curbed the growth-based increase in PEC.

In 2021, mineral oil consumption decreased by a total of 5.1 % to 3,877 PJ (132.3 Mtce). The proportion of mineral oil as part of PEC decreased to 31.8 % (34.4 % previous year). The consumption of petrol rose slightly by 0.6 %, while diesel consumption declined by 1 %. Sales of light heating oil dropped by approximately 27 %, since many consumers used up their stock after prices rose. Sales of aviation fuel rose sharply by almost 22 % and supplies of petroleum to the chemicals industry increased by 12.4 %.

The consumption of natural gas in 2021 increased by 3.9 % to 3,258 PJ (111.2 Mtce). This development was mainly due to the much cooler and mostly less windy weather in the first five months of the year, which meant that more natural gas was used to generate heat and electricity. From the middle of the year onwards, price increases resulted in a wider variety of energy sources being used to generate heat and electricity. The proportion of natural gas as part of total PEC rose slightly from 26.4 to 26.7 %.

Coal consumption in 2021 increased by 17.9 % and peaked at 1,052 PJ (35.9 Mtce). The use of coal in power stations, which makes up roughly half of total consumption, increased by approximately 25 %. The iron and steel industry increased their demand by 13 %. Using coal in power stations was supported by the rise in prices of competing energy types as well as the lower rate of wind energy being generated due to the weather. These economic effects led to this energy source profiting from sales to the steel industry. The percentage of coal in overall PEC increased from 7.5 to 8.6 %.

Lignite consumption increased by 18 % to 1,130 PJ (38.6 Mtce), yet remained about 3 % below comparative values from 2019 and is thus is still following the long-term trend. Last year’s growth is mainly due to the fact that the high level of energy supplied from wind turbines in the previous year due to the weather conditions was much lower in 2021 and due to the different competitive situation on the energy market. The proportion of lignite as part of PEC was 9.3 % in 2021 (8.1 % previous year).

Nuclear energy recorded an increase in electricity production in the reporting period by 7.2 %. The contribution of nuclear energy to PEC rose to 753 PJ (25.7 Mtce). Using the full capacity of nuclear power stations was supported in Germany by greater demand for electricity, less electricity being generated by renewables and the rise in the prices of energy and CO₂. As part of the push to stop using nuclear energy, the power plant units Grohnde, Brokdorf and Gund-remmingen C are due to be shut down by the end of 2021 with a combined energy generation performance of 4,000 MW. In 2021, the proportion of nuclear energy as part of total energy consumption was 6.2 % (5.9 % previous year).

The contribution made by renewable energy sources to the PEC dropped slightly in 2021 by 0.2 % to 1,962 PJ (66.9 Mtce). The proportion of renewables as part of PEC reached 16.1 % in 2021 (16.5 % previous year). Biomass, which makes up more than 50 % of renewable energy, recorded an increase in consumption of 4 %. Hydroelectric power plants increased by 5 %. In contrast, on-shore wind power decreased by 11 % and off-shore wind power decreased by 9 %. Energy generation from photovoltaic systems rose by almost 5 %.

In 2021, again more energy was supplied abroad than was imported into Germany. Overall, the electricity exchange balance dropped to 20,440 GWh (73.6 PJ). The main reasons for this development are a drop in the amount of power generated by renewable energy sources and higher CO₂ prices.

In terms of energy-related CO₂ emissions, the AG Energiebilanzen is anticipating a rise of roughly 4 % or around 25 Mt for the year 2021 as a whole. Besides the weather- and economy-related increases in energy consumption, the slight decrease in the proportion of total consumption supplied by renewables is also of significance for this estimation. In terms of electricity generation, the drop in wind power was mostly compensated for through the secure supply from coal and lignite power plants for competitive reasons. (AG Energiebilanzen/Si.)

 

In 2020 energy consumption in Germany fell 8.7 % compared with the previous year and reached an historic low at 11,691 PJ or 398.8 Mtce (Figure 1).

Compared to 2006, the year with the previously highest energy consumption in Germany since the reunification, the decline is around 21 %, reports the German Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen).

As a result of the declining consumption, as well as other shifts in the energy mix in favour of renewable energies and natural gas, the AG Energiebilanzen anticipates a decline of the energy-related CO₂ emissions of around 80 M t. This corresponds to a decrease of approximately 12 % compared with the previous year.

The macroeconomic and sectoral effects of the coronavirus pandemic are primarily responsible for the significant downward trend in consumption. And on top of this there were long-term trends such as the further increase of energy efficiency, substitutions in the energy mix towards more renewable energies, as well as the comparatively mild weather conditions. Slight increases in consumption originate from the noticeable drop in energy prices during the course of the year. The dampening effect of the mild weather conditions on consumption was largely offset by stockpiling of light heating oil, according to an assessment by the AG Energiebilanzen.

There was a decline in the use of mineral oil in 2020 of 12.1 % to 3,965 PJ or 135.3 Mtce. Whereas the sales of petrol and diesel decreased slightly, the consumption of aviation fuel dropped by half. For light heating oil there were increases in sales of a good 5 % because many consumers used the low prices to replenish their stocks. The supplies of petroleum to the chemicals industry increased by around 3 %.

The consumption of natural gas dropped by 3.4 % in 2020 to 3,105 PJ or 106 Mtce. The main reason for the decrease in consumption is the drop in demand for natural gas from the industrial sectors, as well as trade, commerce and services, as a result of the corona pandemic. Whereas more natural gas was used for generating power and heat. In private households a slight increase in consumption is expected despite the comparatively milder temperatures.

In 2020 the use of coal was 18.3 % below the previous year’s value and peaked at 894 PJ or 30.5 Mtce. In terms of coal usage for generating power and heat at power stations, the drop was more than 26 %. This development can primarily be attributed to the reduction in power consumption, significantly higher amount of electricity supplied by wind power and photovoltaic systems, as well as greater use of natural gas for power generation. The use of coal in the steel industry fell by around 14 % compared with 2019 due to the weak demand for steel.

There was a decline in the use of lignite in 2020 of 18.2 % to 950 PJ or 32.4 Mtce. There are different reasons for this development. Additional power plant units were put on standby and due to the weather conditions the power supply from wind and photovoltaic systems increased. There were also unplanned power station outages, impacts of the corona pandemic on power consumption, as well as shifts in the competitive situation on the national and European power market due to low natural gas prices. Whereas in February to August the consumption of lignite was significantly below the respective months of the previous year, from September a notable recovery was recorded.

Due to the planned shutdown of the Philippsburg power station at the end of 2019, nuclear energy saw a 14.4 % decrease in electricity production in 2020.

The contribution made by renewable energies rose by 3 % overall to 1,962 PJ or 66.9 Mtce in 2020. The hydropower plants (without pump storage) supplied 5 % less power than in the previous year. In contrast, the contribution made by wind power increased 7 %. Solar energy rose by 9 %. There was only a small increase in the use of biomass of 1 %. The primary energy consumption from biogenic waste was 1 % lower than in the previous year.

The consumption of other energy sources – mainly non-biogenic municipal and industrial waste – fell by almost 15 % to 189 PJ or 6.4 Mtce.

In 2020 Germany’s negative electricity exchange balance with its neighbouring states was significantly lower than in the previous year at around 21 bn kWh. Not only did the amount of electricity flowing into Germany from other countries increase significantly, exports from Germany to neighbouring states also declined.

The proportions of the various energy sources in the national energy mix were further shifted in 2020 in comparison to the previous year (Figure 2).

By and large, fossil energy sources experienced a decline, meaning that the energy supply in Germany was able to further reduce its carbon intensity. However, it continues to be distinguished by a broad mix of energy. Oil and gas accounted for around 60 % of domestic energy consumption, while coal and lignite combined covered almost 16 % of consumption. The share of renewable energy increased to almost 17 %. (AGEB/Si.)

In the first three months of this year, energy consumption in Germany was almost 7 % below the comparable value from the previous year (Figure 1).

According to preliminary calculations from the Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), consumption in the first quarter fell by 6.8 % to 3,457 PJ or 117.9 Mtce. The lower energy consumption due to the economic situation, especially in the energy-intensive industries, the warmer weather conditions in the first two months of the year, and the initial effects of the coronavirus pandemic were responsible for the decrease in consumption. This year’s leap day, by contrast, boosted consumption. With the exception of renewables, all energy sources were affected by the decline in consumption, with coal recording an especially drastic decrease. As the AG Energiebilanzen also calculated, energy consumption would only have decreased by 6.4 % without the impact of the mild weather. The AG Energiebilanzen is also expecting a decrease in energy-related CO₂ emissions of almost 11 %.

The consumption of mineral oil fell by 3.2 %. While petrol experienced only a slight drop in sales compared to the previous year, the decrease for diesel fuel was 3.4 %. Sales of heating oil were 5.7 % higher than the same period of the previous year. This growth may have been caused by consumers stocking up due to the sharp drop in prices. Petroleum experienced a 10.5 % decline due to the economic situation.

Natural gas consumption reduced by 5.5 % in total due to the mild weather in the first two months of the year and the slightly reduced use of natural gas in electricity production.

The consumption of coal fell by around 22 % in the first quarter of 2020. The use of coal in power stations recorded a decline of a good third. This development is primarily due to the significantly increased supply of electricity from wind turbines and photovoltaic installations. The use of coke and coal in the steel industry declined by almost 7 %.

In the first three months of 2020, the consumption of lignite fell by more than 30 %. This significant drop has three main causes: The dramatically increased electricity production from renewable energy, the transfer of further lignite power plant blocks to standby mode for emergency reserve power, and the initial effects of the coronavirus pandemic on electricity consumption.

Due to the planned shutdown of the Philippsburg power station at the end of 2019, nuclear energy saw an almost 17 % decrease in electricity production.

By contrast, renewable energies’ contribution to overall energy consumption in the first quarter of 2020 rose by 6 % overall. Wind power recorded an extraordinary increase of 22 % and solar energy grew by 10 %. Biomass saw a decrease of 1 %. Hydroelectric power stations supplied 3 % less electricity.

The electricity exchange balance saw a reduction in electricity flows abroad and an increase in imports, causing a drop in the negative exchange balance, which had significantly increased over recent years. (AGEB/Si.)

According to preliminary calculations from the Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), Berlin/Germany, energy consumption in Germany reached 12,815 PJ or 437.3 Mtce (Figure 1) in 2019. This is a decline of 2.3 % compared to the previous year.

AG Energiebilanzen claims that this reduction in consumption was due to additional improvements in energy efficiency, energy mix substitutions and a decline in energy consumption in industry that occurred as a result of the economy. Factors in favour of increased consumption included the somewhat cooler weather conditions as well as the increase in population. By and large, however, these factors were significantly weaker than those that led to a reduction in consumption. According to calculations by AG Energiebilanzen, energy consumption would have even decreased by more than 3 % when adjusted for the impact of the weather and changes in stock levels. As the consumption of coal in 2019 was in rapid decline and the use of renewable energies continued to increase, the AG Energiebilanzen assumes a noticeable decline in CO₂ emissions (also adjusted for temperature effects and changes in stock levels) of around 7 % or an ample 50 Mt.

The consumption of mineral oil in 2019 amounted to a total of 1.7 % higher than in the previous year. A slight increase was recorded in the sale of diesel and petrol as well as aviation fuel. Light heating oil saw a significant increase in sales of around 17.4 %. Due to the economic situation, supplies of petroleum to the chemicals industry decreased by around 8 %.

Gas consumption in Germany rose by 3.6 %. Alongside the higher heating requirements in the cooler spring months, the increased use of natural gas in power stations also contributed to this development.

The consumption of coal decreased by 20.5 % in total and reached a historical low. The power and heat generation sector suffered declines of around a third as more electricity was generated from renewable energies and natural gas. The steel industry reduced its use by just short of 4 %. For the first time again in a long while, the steel industry has become the most important sales sector for this energy source.

In 2019, the consumption of lignite fell by 20.7 %. The supplies to the lignite-fired power stations also fell considerably due to the safety preparedness of other power plant blocks, the reduced handling in the Hambach surface mine, a higher number of power plant upgrades compared to the previous year, as well as the increase in electricity generation from renewable energies. As a result, the consumption of lignite has now decreased for the seventh year in a row.

Compared with the previous year, nuclear energy saw a slight decrease in power production of around 1 %. Another nuclear power plant (Philippsburg) is planned to be decommissioned by the end of the year.

Renewable energies’ contribution to overall energy consumption over the past year rose by 4 %. Wind power increased its contribution by 15 %. For hydropower there was an increase of 4 %. Solar energy only increased slightly by 1 %. Biomass, which accounts for more than 50 % of total volume in the area of renewable energies, recorded an increase of 2 %.

Germany’s negative electricity exchange balance with its neighbouring countries in 2019 amounted to slightly lower than in previous years, according to initial figures: The amount of electricity flowing into Germany from other countries increased, while electricity flows from Germany to its neighbours significantly decreased by contrast. Reasons for this development included shifts in the European electricity generation structure as a result of increased CO₂ prices and lower gas prices.

The proportions of the various energy sources in the national energy mix were further shifted in 2019 in comparison to the previous year. By and large, fossil energy sources experienced a decline, meaning that the energy supply in Germany was able to further reduce its carbon intensity. However, it continues to be distinguished by a broad mix of energy. Oil and gas accounted for around 60 % of inland energy consumption, while coal and lignite combined covered around 18 % of consumption. The share of renewable energy increased to almost 15 %.
(AGEB/Si.)

Energy consumption in Germany will fall again this year. Based on the current figures for energy consumption in the first nine months, the Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), Berlin and Bergheim, expects a decline in energy consumption in Germany of a good 2 % to roughly 12,810 PJ (437 M t of coal) for the entire year (Figure 1). As the consumption of coal was rapidly declining and renewable energies continue to increase, the AG Energiebilanzen assumes a noticeable decline in CO₂ emissions.

According to preliminary calculations by the AG Energiebilanzen, energy consumption in Germany dropped by 2.3 % to 9,258 PJ or 315.9 M t of coal in the first nine months. The AG Energiebilanzen attributes the lower consumption to improvements in energy efficiency, substitution in the energy mix, the decline in energy consumption due to the economic situation in the energy-intensive industry sectors, as well as the continuing structural transformation. The slightly cooler weather conditions, the increase in the population, as well as slightly growing economic output, pushed up consumption. Overall, the factors contributing to higher consumption were significantly below those leading to lower consumption. Adjusted for the impact of weather conditions, the decline is expected to be a good 3 % according to calculations by the AG Energiebilanzen.

During the first nine months of this year, mineral oil consumption was a total of 1.9 % above that of the previous year‘s figure. While the consumption of diesel and petrol remained at the level of the previous year, there was an increase in aviation fuel of 4 % and the use of light heating oils saw a rise of around 25 %. In contrast, the supplies of petroleum to the chemicals industry reduced by around 11 % due to the economic situation.

Gas consumption rose by 3.9 %. Apart from the high heating requirements in the cooler spring months, the increased use of gas in power plants also contributed to this increase.

Coal consumption registered substantial falls and in the first nine months decreased by more than 18 % overall compared to the same period last year. In the power and heat generation sector there were declines of over 30 %, as more electricity was generated from renewable energies and gas. The steel industry reduced its use by a good 3 %.

The consumption of lignite was also in the minus in the first nine months and reduced by 21.7 %. The supplies to the lignite-fired power stations also fell considerably due to the safety preparedness of other power plant blocks, the reduced handling in the surface mine, a higher number of power plant upgrades compared to the previous year, as well as the increase in electricity generation from renewable energies.

Compared with the previous year, nuclear energy saw a decrease of power production by a good 3 %. At the end of this year another nuclear power plant (Philippsburg) will be decommissioned.

Renewable energies increased their contribution to the overall energy consumption in the first nine months of the year by 4 %. Wind power increased its contribution by 17 %. For hydropower there was an increase of 8 %. Solar energy only increased slightly by 1 % and biomass remained at the level of the previous year. The percentage of renewable energies in the overall primary energy consumption increased to 14.8 %. (AGEB/Si.)