Significant rise observed in energy consumption within Germany
Germany's energy consumption saw a notable increase in the first quarter of 2022, according to preliminary calculations from the Association of Energy Balances. The domestic primary energy consumption was 3151 Petajoules, a 5.5% rise from the same period last year.
The culprit behind this surge appears to be a combination of factors, with colder weather and reduced electricity generation from renewable sources, such as wind and water, playing significant roles. As a result, there was a noticeable uptick in the use of natural gas, hard coal, and lignite for electricity generation.
The share of renewable energies in electricity consumption was 3.2% lower than in the previous year, with solar installations experiencing a 24% growth, but electricity generation from wind decreasing by 30% and from water by 23%. Due to these decreases, a greater proportion of the energy was less efficiently used, leading to an overall rise in consumption. Moreover, consumers were observed to have heated more than in the previous year, particularly in February.
Despite these findings, when taking weather conditions into account, the Association estimates that energy consumption would have increased by only 3.5% in the first three months of the year.
Energy experts anticipate that due to changes in energy sources and higher consumption, CO2 emissions in the first quarter are likely to be 7% higher than in the same period last year.
In terms of a wider context, the German economy experienced faster-than-anticipated growth at the start of the year, with GDP expanding by 0.2% in Q1 compared to the previous quarter, reversing the 0.2% contraction in the previous quarter. This growth was fueled by improving household consumption and investment, which generally correspond with higher energy use. In addition, increased private consumption in Germany saw a growth rate of around 3.9%, reflecting strengthening demand that likely contributed to higher energy consumption during the same period.
Source: ntv.de, DPA
- The community is encouraged to consider adopting policies that support small and medium-sized undertakings (SMEs) in the energy sector, particularly those focused on renewable energy, to address the increased energy consumption observed in Germany.
- As SMEs in the renewable energy sector strive to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, investments in environmental science and finance may prove crucial for developing sustainable and efficient solutions to mitigate climate-change impacts.
- The industry could also look towards science and technology advancements to improve the efficiency of SMEs' energy usage, potentially paving the way for more cost-effective and eco-friendly energy solutions.
- By focusing on renewable energy, SMEs can help foster a more sustainable economy, address climate change, and contribute to the development of a more resilient and environmentally friendly industry.
