Germany’s renewable energy sector continues to thrive, with electricity generated from wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower accounting for some 56% of total electricity consumption in the first three quarters of the year.

This represents an increase from 52% in the same period last year, according to projections by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), which were made available to dpa on Tuesday.

According to the calculations, renewable energy sources have consistently covered more than half of the country’s electricity consumption each month in 2024, with percentages ranging between 53% and 59%.

Solar energy has seen significant growth, with some 65 billion kilowatt hours generated – 15% more than during the same timeframe in 2023.

Electricity production from fossil fuels, specifically coal and natural gas, declined by 10.5%, totalling 149 billion kilowatt hours.

Overall, gross electricity generation from renewable sources rose by 8.3%, according to the estimate, reaching 217 billion kilowatt hours.

“The fact that more than half of the kilowatt hours of electricity consumed in Germany is now consistently renewable shows that we are on the right track,” said BDEW executive board chair Kerstin Andreae.

Andreae emphasized the importance of developing storage facilities and expanding the grid for the full utilization of green electricity.

“Electricity generation from wind and sun is not constant. We need secure power for times when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing.”