Germany Reaches Record 58% Renewable Energy Coverage in First Half of Year

In the first half of the year, renewable energy sources accounted for 58% of Germany's electricity consumption, up from 52% last year, according to preliminary data. Solar panels played a significant role, with a 12.8% increase in energy generation. Electricity imports rose by 21%, while exports fell by 15.5%.

Coverage from renewable energy sources rose to 58% of Germany's electricity consumption in the first half of the year, preliminary data from utility association BDEW and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) showed on Monday. The gain from 52% in the same period last year lifted the coverage to a record high for a six-month period, the research centre said in a statement.

Germany's electricity imports rose 21% during the period, while exports fell by 15.5%, it added. The new record in renewable energy use was driven in part by solar panels, which generated 12.8% more energy, accounting for 14.7% of gross electricity generation.

That was after a record high in solar panel installations last year, the centre said. The data was calculated under European Union requirements that base the share on usage rather than on production, a method also adopted by the Berlin government for its climate target definitions, BDEW said.