Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Greenpeace blamed the German government for not being green enough.
December 21, 2021, 14:21 Benjamin Wehrmann
Germany’s energy consumption increases, renewable energy market share declines in 2021
Energy consumption in Germany has increased in 2021, as the economy recovers from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the country weathers a cold winter. At the same time, a year of wind power production decline has made the share of renewable energy in the country mixed strength narrowed, while coal power returned strongly. These developments herald the new German government’s plan to reduce energy use and boost renewables to record levels by 2030 – the same year the country plans to end coal use. . Energy industry representatives say the government’s plans are still viable, but will require decisive and swift action to succeed.
Energy consumption in Germany has increased in 2021 year-on-year, while the share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation is decreasing, data released by the energy market research group. AGE and by the energy industry lobbying association BDEW displayed. Energy consumption increased 2.6 percent (12,193 petajoule) compared to 2020, when economic activity was severely reduced by the coronavirus pandemic, AGE say, adding that primary energy consumption The country still ranks significantly below pre-crisis levels from 2019, as the effects of the pandemic could still be felt in 2021 and supply chain disruptions continue to hamper the recovery. economy.
Very cold weather at the start of the year also contributes to higher energy use and follows AGE, accounting for most of the increase. On the other hand, prices rise in the energy market and in Europe emissions trading system (ETS) “has markedly slowed down the increase due to growth in primary energy consumption,” the researchers said.
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Coal industry prepares to be phased out despite increasing proportion of power system
Contrary to government plans, coal power consumption increased markedly, with both hard coal and lignite usage increased about 18 percent, while natural gas increased only 4 percent. However, the statistical effect plays an important role in the annual increase, which means lignite Usage is still 5% lower than in 2019 and even 25% lower than in 2018, according to the coal industry association IN DEBT. However, even though lignite factories have made a “significant contribution” to Germany’s supply security this year, and domestic supplies of fossil fuels will not be affected by price increases such as gas or oil, increased use in 2021 doesn’t change the overall collapse of technology in Germany, IN DEBT head Thorsten Diercks said.
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Andree Böhling of environmental NGO Green Peace calls the spike in carbon emissions a “tainted gift” of Angela Merkel’s former conservative government (CDU). Even if Scholz’s coalition were not to blame for the current situation, he argued, they would still have to respond quickly. “Measures of an action agenda must address the root causes of increasing emissions, i.e. significantly higher coal use and increasing electricity consumption,” said Böhling. said, at the same time calling for a ceiling on the use of coal in the power system and ending coal use by 2030.
If even über green Germany cannot maintain the momentum to achieve net zero, the renewable revolution is well underway and is indeed broken.
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