Renewable Energy Growth in Germany’s Electricity Sector
Surge in Solar Power Addition
According to Germany’s Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), 9300MW of renewable energy plants went online in the first half of 2024, mostly as a result of solar projects there. The agency also stated that overall output rose by 5.3% from the end of 2023 to that same period, accounting for the 400MW of older plants that were decommissioned during that time.
“We are seeing a continuous expansion, especially in solar systems.” – Klaus Müller, president of BNetzA
Significant Increase in Solar Power Capacity
Over 10% more solar power was added as of the end of 2023 compared to the total output. Building complexes, which also include the balcony systems, are to blame for two thirds of this. The country achieved a first-ever installed capacity exceeding 90 gigawatts at the end of June.
“This is an enormous development and a challenge for the entire transformation process in the electricity sector,” – BNetzA statement
Positive Trend in Onshore Wind Permits
The updated data also shows that there has been positive development in the permits for new onshore wind turbines. A total of nearly 5.6GW of capacity was approved in just the first half of 2024, which represents an increase of nearly 70% compared to the same period last year. The BNetzA predicted that this will most likely surpass the 7.7 GW total number of permits issued in 2023.
Offshore Wind Capacity Addition
According to the agency, the first half of 2024 saw a surge in the installation of offshore wind turbines, with 377MW of new capacity coming online in the North and Baltic Seas. However, the current expansion rate for 2024 is relatively low on land, due in part to an unusually high number of older plant shutdowns that will be permanent in the second quarter of 2024.
Overall Onshore Wind Capacity
Currently, the onshore wind capacity stands at slightly less than 62GW overall, as the disassembled turbines’ average output was three to four times lower than that of the new turbines.
