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Wind turbines in Schlewsig-Holstein

Photo: Markus Scholz / dpa

The share of electricity consumed by renewable energies in Germany has continued to rise. It was around 52 percent in the first half of the year. This is three percentage points more than in the first half of 2022, according to preliminary calculations by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW).

Especially in May, the share of renewable energies in electricity consumption was unusually high at 57 percent because of the sunny weather, it said. Photovoltaic systems have generated more electricity this month than ever before. This record could be surpassed again in June.

Target: 80 percent in 2030

Around 42 percent of the electricity generated by renewable energies came from onshore wind turbines, a good quarter from solar plants, plus biomass, offshore wind turbines and hydropower.

The expansion of renewable energies from wind and solar plays a key role in the Federal Government's strategy to achieve Germany's climate protection goals and become less dependent on fossil fuels such as coal and gas. Extensive measures have been adopted to accelerate the expansion. According to the German government's plans, 2030 percent of electricity is to come from renewable energies in 80. The demand for electricity is likely to increase enormously, due to millions of electric cars and heat pumps.

Frithjof Staiß, Managing Director of ZSW, said that in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, electricity generation must be based entirely on renewable energies as early as 2035. Further expansion must take place much faster than in the past. BDEW Managing Director Kerstin Andreae pointed out the problem of the shortage of skilled workers: "Many companies are already having problems finding qualified personnel. In the coming years, the situation could worsen drastically. That's why we need to get more young people, especially women, excited about careers in the energy industry." Political support is also needed here.

beb/dpa