The German Energiewende

The German Energiewende | 05
Germany’s reduction targets
Reduction targets for primary energy consumption
compared with 2008
The economy is growing,
while energy consumption is falling
Development of gross domestic product and primary energy consumption
1,958 14,905
2,355
14,766
2,497
14,217
3,263
13,525
-50 % -6 %
1990
2000
2010
2017
Achieved by
2050 2017
Gross domestic product in billions of euros,
average growth +1.4% per year since 1990.
Primary energy consumption in petajoules in 1990,
2000, 2010 and 2017; average fall -0.3% per year
since 1990
“The very best kilowatt hour
is the one we don’t use.”
Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor
The strategy is working – Germany’s energy demand has fallen
since 1990, although its gross domestic product has risen significantly.
German industry now consumes over ten percent less energy than it
did in the past, but has doubled its output. Technical advances allow
households and companies to use energy more efficiently. Modern
domestic appliances use up to 75 percent less electricity than comparable
appliances of 15 years ago. Changes in daily habits also save
energy. For this reason, tens of thousands of energy consultants
conduct energy audits all over Germany; show tenants, home owners
and companies ways of saving energy; and inform people about the
state funding programmes.
All EU member states have agreed to reduce their primary energy
consumption by 20 percent by 2020 and by at least 27 percent by 2030.
Germany is seeking to halve its total energy consumption in the
long term, reflecting its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
Large increase in energy productivity
Large Amount of increase output generated in energy by one gigajoule productivity
(GJ):
Amount of output generated by one gigajoule (GJ):
+87%
1 GJ
128.80 €
+87%
1 GJ
1 GJ
128.80 €
1 GJ
241.29 €
241.29 €
1990 2017
1990 2017
1975
Germany’s Energy Security Act lays down higher energy
reserves and a speed limit on the country’s roads.