Renewable energy coverage in Germany increases to 58% in the first half of the year, Energy News, ET EnergyWorld

According to preliminary data from the association of utilities BDEW and the Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Center (ZSW), energy coverage from renewable sources increased to 58% of total electricity consumption in Germany in the first half of the year.

The research center said in a statement that the increase from 52% in the same period last year pushed coverage to a record level over the six-month period.

Germany’s electricity imports increased by 21% during this period, while exports decreased by 15.5%.

The new record for renewable energy use was achieved in part thanks to solar panels, which generated 12.8% more energy, representing 14.7% of gross electricity produced.

According to the center, this comes after last year’s record increase in the number of solar panel installations.

The figures were calculated in accordance with European Union requirements, which base the share on consumption rather than production. The Berlin government has also adopted the same method when setting its climate targets, the BDEW reported.

(Reporting: Chiara Holzhaeuser Editing: Ludwig Burger)