The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) report that in May 2023 the share of renewable energies in electricity consumption was as high as 57%, with photovoltaic (PV) systems accounting for a record 8.8bn kWh of electricity. Only in February 2022 has a higher share of renewables been achieved so far, at 62%, due to exceptionally high wind feed-ins.

According to preliminary estimates, the PV generation record may have been surpassed again in June, with generation potentially exceeding 10bn kWh for the first time.

Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman, BDEW Executive Board, comments: ‘Twenty years ago, hardly anyone would have thought it possible that we now generate more than half of our electricity from renewable sources. In order for us to be able to live and operate in a completely climate-neutral manner by 2045, we need not only a suitable regulatory framework, but also skilled workers. After all, whether it’s for the construction of wind turbines, the development of storage facilities or the digitisation of grids, ultimately, it is people who implement the energy transition.’

Professor Dr Frithjof Staiß, Managing Director, ZSW, adds: ‘If one takes into account that in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, electricity generation must be based entirely on renewable energies as early as 2035, it becomes clear that further expansion must take place much faster than in the past. The Federal government has set the course for accelerating processes, for example by giving priority to renewable energies or digitising the procedures for grid expansion projects. In order to achieve the “German pace” in the long term, however, all those involved in the implementation process in practice must now also ignite the turbo.’