November 2018: German Energy Consumption Set to Fall Sharply in 2018

November 2018

The energy market research group AGEB expects Germany’s energy consumption to decrease this year by around 5 percent to 12,900 petajoules based on preliminary data for the first three quarters, which saw a drop of around 5.3 percent.

Consumption of all fossil fuels fell across the first nine months while the consumption of renewable and nuclear energy sources increased. Consequently, AGEB is predicting a disproportionately large decrease in CO2 emissions (Q1-Q3: -7 percent).

The drivers behind the change include higher prices, mild weather and improved energy efficiency. On the other hand, the positive economic situation and population growth were factors that increased consumption, AGEB notes.

Energy consumption in Q1-Q3 2018 compared to Q1-Q3 2017:

• Oil -7.4% (decreased motor fuel consumption and considerably reduced fuel oil sales)
• Natural gas -7.2% (lower consumption due to mild weather, less gas used to generate power)
• Hard coal -12.8% (decrease in power and heat production)
• Lignite -1.9% (decrease in power production)
• Nuclear +4.9% (increased power production)
• Renewable energy +3.1% (wind +13%, solar +14%, hydro -10%, biomass no change)
  

Read more:

• AG Energiebilanzen e.V. – Press release (PDF in German)