Germany Energy Information

Germany Energy Research

- Germany's Energy & Climate Policy Framework: Germany aims for 65% GHG reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045, with 100% renewable electricity by 2035. The government oversees energy and climate policies, with significant investments in infrastructure and climate neutrality. The energy market is competitive, with regulations ensuring grid stability and security. Renewables are prioritised, with ambitious targets for wind, solar, and biomass. Support mechanisms include feed-in tariffs and market premiums, transitioning to contracts for difference. Energy efficiency measures and a phase-out of fossil fuels are also key components of the strategy.

- Germany's Energy Companies: RWE is Germany's largest power generator, with significant renewable energy investments. Uniper, nationalised in 2022, is the third-largest, focusing on renewables and gas. EnBW, state-owned, aims for 50% renewable capacity by 2025. Germany's energy sector includes major players in transmission, distribution, oil, gas, and lignite, with ongoing shifts towards renewables and energy security.

- Germany's Energy Supply & Demand: Germany's energy consumption has declined, with renewables now making up nearly 60% of its power mix, primarily from wind and solar. Coal and lignite capacity has significantly reduced, and the country has achieved independence from Russian oil and gas. Electricity generation has decreased, with a notable shift towards renewable sources. Despite progress, CO₂ emissions remain slightly above the OECD average, though efforts are underway to further reduce emissions and enhance energy sustainability.

- Germany's Energy Use & Price by Sector: In 2024, Germany's final energy consumption rose by 1% after a prior decline, with oil, gas, and electricity dominating the mix. Industrial and household energy prices remained significantly higher than the EU average, despite temporary price caps and relief measures. Electrification is projected to triple by 2050.

- Germany's Issues & Prospects: Germany plans to expand its power grid significantly by 2030, with a focus on renewables (solar and wind) and gas to phase out coal. It aims to add 8.8 GW of hydrogen plants by 2035 and nearly 10,000 km of network by 2032. Electricity demand is projected to double by 2037, with renewables expected to dominate generation by 2045. Gas and hydrogen are seen as transitional solutions, while major grid expansion projects are underway to support renewable integration.

Germany Total Energy Production & Consumption

In 2024, total energy consumption decreased slightly (-1.3%), reaching 242 Mtoe (-0.7% at normal climate), after a sharp reduction over 2021-2023 (-7%/year at normal climate). Previously, it had decreased by 0.9%/year over 2010-2019 (normal climate).

Per capita consumption declined below 2.9 toe in 2024 (-0.8%) after a significant drop by nearly 6% in 2023 and converged towards the average EU level (5% higher than the EU level, compared to 20% higher in 2015).

Source: Germany energy report

Interactive Chart Germany Total Energy Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Germany Oil Production & Consumption

Crude oil production is limited and has declined by around 1%/year on average since 2000 to fall below 2.8 Mt in 2024 (less than 3% of its needs). In 2024, Germany imported more than 84 Mt of crude oil, a 9% rebound after a 13% decrease in 2023. Imports from Russia are virtually at zero (down from a 35% share in 2021) and are counterbalanced by supply from USA and Norway (around 18% each as of 2023), Libya and Kazakhstan (11% each).

Source: Germany energy report

Interactive Chart Germany Crude Oil Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Interactive Chart Germany Refined Oil Products Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Germany Natural Gas Production & Consumption

Gas production was divided by around a factor 3 over 2010-2024, from 15 bcm to around 5 bcm in 2024, corresponding to only 6% of the demand.

Net gas imports remained stable at 71 bcm, after an 18% decrease in 2023 and an average 4%/year rebound from 2020 to 2022. They increased by 8%/year between 2014 and 2019 to a record level of 95 bcm but dropped by 15% to 80 bcm in 2020 due to the Covid crisis.

Source: Germany energy report

Interactive Chart Germany Gas Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Germany Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Germany is by far Europe's largest lignite producer, with 92 Mt in 2024, a 10% decrease compared to 2023 due to the gradual phase-out of coal and lignite-fired power plants. Lignite production followed a rapid decreasing trend over 2012-2020; 80% of the lignite was used in power plants in 2024 (-2 points). Germany represented 35% of the total lignite production in the EU (2024).

Source: Germany energy report

Interactive Chart Germany Coal and Lignite Production & Consumption

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Germany Renewable in % Electricity Production

The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA), within BMWi, is the agency that funds the development of renewables.

The NECP targets an updated share of 41% of renewables in gross final consumption in 2030. In 2023, this share was 21.6% (52% for electricity, 17% for heating and cooling, and 12% in transport). The 2020 target of 18% was exceeded by 1.1 points.

Source: Germany energy report

Interactive Chart Germany Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data

Germany GHG emissions and CO₂ emissions

In 2021, Germany updated its climate goals from the Federal Climate Change Act with a revised goal of at least a 65% cut in GHG emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 and at least an 88% cut by 2040. These cuts are also included in its final NECP. The 2030 target is higher than the 55% reduction set for all EU members in the EU NDC (2023).

Source: Germany energy report

Interactive Chart Germany CO₂ emissions

Source: Global Energy & CO₂ data