Germany renewable energy input for electricity generation
Germany renewable energy input for electricity generation stood at 1,251.6 PJ in 2025. It is one of the indicators in the Energy balance table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1990 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Energy balance table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2,934.24 | 2,929.83 | 3,099.88 | 3,827.05 | 4,103.95 | 3,887.06 | 4,251.66 | 4,644.22 | 4,767.6 | 4,935.32 | |
| Renewable energy | 1,251.6 | 1,245.67 | 1,201.48 | 1,141.3 | 1,092.58 | 1,146.8 | 1,104 | 1,038.61 | 1,013.07 | 920.95 | |
| Other energy sources | 72.81 | 71.91 | 73.81 | 76.98 | 78.03 | 79.93 | 80.77 | 80.12 | 87.13 | 88.98 |
Understanding germany renewable energy input for electricity generation
Harnessing ambient kinetic, radiant, hydrothermal, and biogenic resources for power generation establishes the accounting boundary for this metric. The row incorporates input from wind power, solar photovoltaics, run-of-river and reservoir hydro stations, geothermal energy, solid biomass, biogas, and the biogenic fraction of waste incineration. In contrast to combustible fossil inputs measured by fuel heat values, non-thermal renewables like wind and solar are quantified according to energy balance conventions using the physical energy content of the generated electricity. Thermal renewable inputs like wood pellets or landfill gas are accounted for by net calorific value. Renewable resources dedicated exclusively to producing district heat appear in a distinct transformation table.
Data users must interpret annual renewable inputs in conjunction with meteorological fluctuations, as wind speeds, precipitation levels, and solar irradiance cause year-to-year generation variances. Annual comparisons remain the appropriate metric for assessing underlying installed capacity developments across full annual cycles. Compilers regularly update early estimates as verified grid feed-in settlements and statutory renewable surcharge registers replace initial sampling metrics. A major pitfall in balance analysis is directly equating renewable primary transformation input with gross thermal inputs from fossil fuels, because non-thermal renewable conventions assume equivalent conversion without thermal cooling losses.
Frequently asked questions
- How is electricity from wind and solar converted into petajoules in this balance row?
- Official balance methodology applies the physical energy content convention, recording the generated electrical energy directly into petajoules without assuming thermal combustion losses.
- Does this series include the incineration of municipal waste?
- Only the biodegradable, biogenic portion of municipal waste is counted here, while non-biogenic waste inputs are assigned to other energy sources.
- Are rooftop solar installations on private homes included in this transformation input figure?
- Yes, all grid-connected solar power generation is captured within the energy balance transformation account, regardless of facility scale or ownership structure.