Germany's renewable power capacity could rise by 23% to 112 GW in 2019

Germany's four power transmission network operators estimate that the renewable power capacity in Germany could increase by 23% between 2015 and 2019, from about 91 GW in 2015 to 112 GW in 2019. Onshore wind would account for nearly half of the renewable capacity by this date, with 50 GW, while solar capacity would account for 42% with 47 GW. Offshore wind capacity should reach 6 GW and the remainder (9 GW) would come from hydropower, biomass and geothermal energy. This would represent a total power generation of 208 TWh in 2019 (+29% compared to the 140 TWh estimated for 2014 and 161 TWh estimated for 2015).

Transmission network operators are required to provide capacity forecasts to help calculate the cost of subsidies: renewable costs are estimated to increase from €23bn in 2015 to €28bn in 2019. The renewable surcharge under the EEG-law will decrease by 1.1% in 2015 to €6.17c/kWh; it should remain relatively stable in 2016, ranging between €5.7c/kWh and €7.3c/kWh.