Wind energy to become Germany's most important energy source for the first time in 2019

[Press release, BWE, German, LINK] In 2019, wind energy will for the first time generate more electricity than all other energy sources in the German energy mix and lignite will therefore replace it as the number one electricity source in Germany. 

Although the expansion of wind energy in Germany is faltering, wind power generation is reaching record levels. Due to good wind conditions worldwide in 2019, the nearly 30,000 wind turbines installed in Germany generated 118 TWh of green electricity by mid-December. Never before has so much electricity been generated from wind energy in Germany. By the end of November 2019, the total electricity generation for 2018 had already been reached and exceeded.

The record year for wind energy is associated with an important milestone in the energy turnaround: Wind energy was the first single renewable energy source to become Germany's most important energy source. Since 2011, this top position has been occupied by lignite, which is harmful to the climate. In figures, German wind energy contributed 24%, lignite 20%, nuclear 14%, gas 11%, hard coal 10%, solar 9%, biomass 9% and hydropower 4% to net electricity generation in Germany in the current year. (Source: Fraunhofer Energy Charts, figures rounded)

 

Net electricity generation from power plants for public electricity supply. Data source: 50 Hertz, Amprion, Tennet, TransnetBW, Destatis, EEX last update: 13 Dec 2019 13:37
 

"Wind energy is Germany's most important energy source for the first time. That makes us proud. Our thanks go to the medium-sized sector, which has repeatedly demonstrated its innovative strength and entrepreneurial spirit over the past 20 years, and to the EEG, which provided the right investment incentives to develop wind energy in Germany into a worldwide cutting-edge technology. Together with its members, the BWE is working on developing wind energy into a reliable foundation for a CO2-neutral energy system and further expanding this year's record figures.

However, the current figures must not obscure the fact that the German wind energy industry is in a serious crisis in view of the collapse in new construction. Politicians now have to assume responsibility for the energy turnaround and the employees in the wind industry by bringing about rapid improvements in the approval process and in the provision of land and legal security for wind energy projects. It is also necessary to flank this with a courageous, legally defined timeframe and quantity structure for the expansion until at least 2030. This record year underlines the importance of the future-oriented wind energy industry for Germany as a business location," comments Hermann Albers, President of the German WindEnergy Association.

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