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Energy consumption increased by 1.3% in 2015 in Germany

According to preliminary statistics released by German energy association group AB Energiebilanzen, energy consumption in Germany increased by 1.3% in 2015, due to a cooler weather raising energy demand for heating; the increase in consumption related to economic recovery (+1.8%) and to the growth in population was compensated by gains in energy efficiency.

Oil consumption remained relatively stable in 2015 (-0.1% from 2014), despite a higher consumption of diesel (nearly +4%), as gasoline consumption dipped by 2%. Gas consumption recovered in 2015 (+5%), due to the cooler weather in the first half of the year (milder weather in the fourth quarter reversing the upward trend); gas-fired generation fell by 7% during the year. Coal consumption declined by 0.7% in 2015, despite very low global market prices (-0.8% for coal-fired generation and stable consumption from the iron and steel industry); lignite consumption increased slightly and lignite-fired power generation was stable from 2014. The closure of the Grafenrheinfeld nuclear power plant contributed to a 6% fall in nuclear power generation and consumption, while renewable electricity generation rose by 11% (+2% for biomass, stable for hydropower, +6% for solar and +50% for wind power).

Oil continued to remain the most consumed fuel with nearly 34% of primary energy consumption, followed by coal and lignite (more than 25%), gas (more than 20%), and renewables (13%).