According to the data gathered on energy-charts.info, the first half of 2023 saw the lowest production of electricity by fossil fuels since 2015. With 387 TWh (31.7% of load) from conventional sources it surpassed the previous low for a first half year of 400.9 TWh (32.1%) in 2020 by nearly 14 TWh or 3.5%.
At the same time renewables provided for more power than ever with 519.3 TWh providing 42.6% of the load.
Other records for a first half year in 2023 (see the bottom of the energy-charts page):
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lowest nuclear power production
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lowest fossil peat production
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lowest load
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highest pumped hydro usage (consumption+production)
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highest offshore wind production (23.922 TWh)
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highest onshore wind production (195.399 TWh)
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highest solar power production (98.698 TWh)
This marks a notable shift towards green energy compared to the first half of 2022: renewables increased from 488.8 TWh in the first half of 2022 to 519.3 TWh in the first half this year, while fossil fuels decreased from 475.3 TWh to 387 TWh.
I get all that and I get corruption angle, we all suffer from it.
Somebody’s profits are more important than our pocket books.
But here we are nuclear shut down, fossils burning yes again…
Just to be clear, fossil fuel electricit production is decreasing in Germany for years now. The renewable built up was fast enough for that. So it is not burning fossil fuels again, as that would imply increasing the amount of fossil fuels burned.
Right now the situation is that hard coal is too expensive, natural gas despite the Russia situation is a bit better, but not exactly great and lignite should loose money since 2019, but got lucky with the gas crisis and France massive nuclear problems. Given how fast solar is being added right now and the accelerating built up of wind, especially offshore, I would not be surprised, if Germany hits 80% renewables within the next five years.