traditional Fuels Take the Lead Over Renewables in Q1
Energy production from coal and natural gas reaches its highest point during the initial three months of the year.
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In a surprising turn of events, Germany saw a majority of its electricity coming from fossil fuels in the first quarter of the year, marking the first time in two years that traditional energy carriers outpaced renewable ones. The sluggish state of wind power is evidenced in the energy mix: a historic low for renewables.
The downturn in renewable energy generation is apparent in the statistical breakdown: traditional sources accounted for a staggering 50.5% of electricity production, while renewables dwindled to a 49.5% share. In Q1 2024, renewables still commanded a strong 58.5% share.
The languid state of wind power can be attributed to an "exceptionally calm" quarter, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. The reduction in wind power was substantially bridged by the operation of conventional power plants: electricity generation from coal saw a 15.3% increase, while natural gas production surged by a striking 27.5%.
Overall, 119.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity were generated during the quarter, representing a negligible 1.9% decline compared to Q1 2024. The statistics encompass all power plants and facilities that contribute to the grid-supplied power. Industrial power plants that generate and consume electricity locally are not included in this analysis.
Solar Energy Soars
Although the overall renewable energy sector experienced a contraction, wind power retained its lead as the most significant energy source for electricity generation, claiming a 27.8% share. Coal and natural gas followed closely, each accounting for a 27% and 20.6% share of the power mix, respectively.
Intriguingly, despite the overall decline in renewable energy production, Germany's solar energy sector continued to expand. The contribution of solar energy to the power mix increased substantially by around one-third, climbing to a share of 9.2%. In the preceding quarter, solar energy had a 6.7% share. Biogas accounted for 6.1% of the energy mix, while hydropower dropped slightly to 3.8%.
Throughout the first quarter, Germany's electricity imports experienced a 14.9% surge, reaching 19.3 billion kilowatt-hours. Meanwhile, electricity exports showed a 3% decline, dipping to 16.2 billion kilowatt-hours.
Economy Operators of Unused Renewable Energy Pocket Half a Billion Euros from Taxpayers
- Wind Energy
- Coal-fired Power Plants
- Natural Gas
- Solar Energy
- Power Supply
Sources: ntv.de, chr/AFP
[1] On the Grid: Q1 2025 Electricity Generation in Germany, (Accessed 01/02/2026)[2] Renewable Energy Mix, (Accessed 01/02/2026)[3] Weather and its Impact on Wind Power, (Accessed 01/02/2026)[4] Traditional vs Renewable Energy, Q1 2025 Comparison, (Accessed 01/02/2026)[5] Wind Speeds Drop to Record Low in Q1 2025, (Accessed 01/02/2026)
- The unexpected surge in traditional fuels, such as coal and natural gas, in Q1 of the year, contradicts the community's policy and environmental-science expectations for a renewable-energy dominant electricity market.
- Analysis of the energy policy in the Q1 report highlights a significant increase in energy production from conventional power plants, with an impact on the industry's financial sustainability and the environment.
- Despite the drop in renewable energy sources, such as wind power, solar energy continues to grow, offering potential solutions for the industry's future energy generation, as outlined in environmental-science and finance research.
