Fossil Fuels Power the Grid Over Renewables in Germany's Q1
Fossil fuel sources generating more electricity than renewable energy resources - Fossil fuel energy generation exceeds that of renewable energy sources in the latest report.
Hey there! Here's the lowdown on the energy scene in Germany for the first quarter of this year. The unexpected happened when fossil fuel sources powered more electricity than renewable ones for the first time since 2023, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden.
You might be wondering, what gave fossil fuels the advantage this time? Well, it all boils down to the weather— specifically, the lack of it! The first quarter was exceptionally calm in terms of wind, causing a significant dip in wind power generation. This, in turn, led to a decrease in the share of renewable energy overall.
Digging into the numbers, fossil fuels accounted for a whopping 50.5% of Germany's electricity generation in Q1, a substantial increase from the 41.5% recorded in the same period last year. On the flip side, renewable energies such as wind power saw a significant drop in their share – from 58.5% in 2024's Q1 down to 49.5% in 2025's Q1.
But don't count wind power out just yet! Despite the drop, it remained Germany's leading energy source for electricity generation, though not as dominant as it was in the past. Its share in the total domestic electricity mix fell to 27.8% this time, compared to 38.5% in 2024's Q1.
To make up for the shortfall in renewable energy generation, conventional power plants stepped up to the plate. Coal jumped to second place among the most important energy sources, with a 27.0% share (up from 23.0% in 2024's Q1), narrowly beating wind power. Natural gas came in third with a 20.6% share (up from 15.8% in 2024's Q1).
When it comes to other renewable sources, solar power (photovoltaics) saw a substantial increase, with a 9.2% share (up from 6.7% in 2024's Q1). Biogas, however, remained stagnant at 6.1%.
- Fossil fuels took center stage in Germany's electricity production during Q1 2025 due to exceptionally calm wind conditions affecting wind power generation.
- Wind power, Germany's main renewable energy source, saw its share of total electricity generation decrease from 38.5% in 2024's Q1 to 27.8% in 2025's Q1.
- Conventional power plants, including coal and natural gas, increased their share of electricity production to compensate for the reduction in renewable energy output.
- Solar power saw a significant growth in its share of electricity generation, while biogas remained stagnant.
Sources:[1] - Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), Germany's electricity generation mix by energy source, Q1 2025.[2] - Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), Germany's electricity generation mix by energy source, Q1 2024.[3] - Meteorological Service of Germany, First Quarter 2025 Weather Summary Report.
The increase in fossil fuel usage for electricity production in Germany's Q1, primarily due to unfavorable wind conditions, could lead to a contemporaneous surge in interest for community policies addressing climate change and vocational training programs focused on renewable energy industries, such as solar and wind power, to offset the finance implications and secure a sustainable energy future. Therefore, fostering finance investments in wind power vocational training programs may be a pivotal strategy for Germany's long-term energy policy and sustainable energy finance management.
