To date, 2012 was a record year for renewable energies in Germany. During the first six months of this year they exceeded for the first time the 25-percent mark.
According to first estimations of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft – BDEW) renewable energies amounting to 67.9 billion kilowatt-hours during the first six months (first half year of 2011: 56.4) covered one fourth of the German electricity demand, compared to approximately 21 percent during the first six months of 2011.
With a share of 9.2 percent (2011: 7.7) wind energy remains the most important renewable energy, followed by biomass accounting for 5.7 percent (2011: 5.3). In 2012, photovoltaic could increase its share to date by 47 percent and currently accounts for 5.3 percent (2011: 3.6) and is thus ranking third. The contribution of hydro power to electricity generation totalled 4.0 percent (2011: 3.2), the BDEW reported. The share of renewables-based electricity from waste-fuelled plants and other renewable energies was 0.9 percent (2011: 0.9).
Moreover, the BDEW published the latest figures on natural gas and electricity consumption during the first half of 2012. Accordingly, natural gas consumption totalling 495.3 billion kilowatt-hours exceeded the value recorded during the same period of the preceding year by 0.4 percent. On the one hand, less natural gas was consumed for electricity and heat generation in the power stations of public supply; on the other hand, the comparatively cold months February and April showed a clear surplus in natural gas consumption for space heating. The leap day also contributed to increased natural gas consumption.
Electricity consumption, on the other hand, totalling 261.5 billion kilowatt-hours was 1.4 percent below the level of the preceding year. According to the BDEW, this decrease is mainly attributable to the low production in electricity-intensive iron and steel industries, the chemical primary materials industry and the paper production industry.
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Offshore WIND staff, August 01, 2012; Image: alpha-ventus