According to first estimates released by the German Federal Association of Energy and Water Management (BDEW) and AG Energiebilanzen (AGEB), primary energy consumption should increase by 2.6% in 2021 but should remain below its 2019 level. Oil remained the largest energy consumed with 32% (despite a 5.1% drop), followed by gas (27%, +3.9%), coal and lignite (18%, +18%), renewables (16%, -0.2%), nuclear (6%, +7.2%) and others (1%).
Net power generation in Germany rebounded by 2.6% in 2021, in a context of economic recovery, especially thermal power generation (+8.9%, despite a 5.9% drop in gas-fired generation) and nuclear generation (+7.2%), while renewable generation dipped by 4.7% (-11% for wind power but +4.9% for solar PV and +5.4% for hydropower). Consequently, the German power mix was marked by a reduced share of renewables (from 44% in 2020 to less than 41% in 2021), and a higher share of coal and lignite (from 24% in 2020 to 28% in 2021). CO2 emissions from power generation thus rose by 13% in 2021, though remaining within the path of the Climate Protection Act. Electricity consumption rose by 2.9%, spurred by industrial consumption (+4%).
Where gas is concerned, gas consumption rose by 3.9%, back to its 2005-2006 level, in a context of colder temperatures. Most of consumption was covered by imports (nearly 95%) and the remaining 5% by domestic production. Gas consumption rose by 9.2% in the residential sector and by 1.7% in industry.