Germany made significant strides in its energy transition in 2024, boosting its installed renewable energy capacity by nearly 20 gigawatts (GW) to approximately 190 GW. This 12% growth compared to 2023 underscores the nation’s commitment to sustainability and energy independence.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, emphasized: “Renewable energy is now taking the lead role in electricity generation in Germany, accounting for almost 60% of total generation with 254.9 terawatt-hours (TWh). This makes us more independent of fossil fuel imports and benefits our climate.”

Solar Energy: Sustained Growth

Solar energy saw remarkable growth in 2024, with an expansion of 16.2 GW, breaking the record set in 2023. Two-thirds of this expansion was achieved through rooftop and façade installations, while the remainder came from larger-scale facilities.

Bavaria led the nation in solar capacity expansion, adding 4.0 GW in 2024. Additionally, Germany’s largest solar installation, with 162 megawatts (MW), was commissioned in Saxony during the spring of 2024. By year-end, Germany’s total installed solar capacity reached 99.3 GW.

Klaus Müller, president of the Federal Network Agency, highlighted: “The solar photovoltaic expansion boom continues. These investments further accelerate the energy transition.”

Wind Energy: Challenges and Projections

Onshore wind energy added 2.5 GW in 2024, slightly below the previous year’s level. This net value accounts for new installations minus decommissioned systems, with nearly 0.7 GW of wind capacity permanently retired. By the end of 2024, Germany’s total onshore wind capacity stood at 63.5 GW, with a projection to reach 115 GW by 2030.

Despite the slowdown in new installations, 2024 set a record for permits granted for onshore wind energy, with nearly 15 GW approved—an increase of 90% compared to 2023. This substantial growth indicates a higher number of new installations in the coming years.

For offshore wind energy, 73 new turbines were commissioned between May and September 2024. These turbines, located in the Baltic Eagle wind farm in the Baltic Sea and Gode Wind farm in the North Sea, contributed an additional 0.7 GW. This brings Germany’s total offshore wind capacity to 9.2 GW.

Biomass: Stable Contributions

Biomass energy maintained steady growth in 2024, adding 110 MW, consistent with the previous year. Notable projects included two large biogas cogeneration plants in the Hanover region, each with 20 MW of electrical and thermal capacity, and the conversion of a coal-fired plant in Oberkirch, Baden-Württemberg, to biomass, also with 20 MW of capacity. In total, biomass facilities in Germany now contribute approximately 9 GW.

Future Perspectives

The Federal Network Agency’s Market Master Data Register (MaStR), which serves as the official registry for all electricity generation facilities in Germany, reflects these achievements. Current trends are expected to continue, with efforts focused on simplifying and accelerating approval processes to support dynamic renewable energy expansion.

Germany’s energy transition is progressing steadily, cementing the country’s position as a global leader in adopting clean and sustainable energy sources. This sets a benchmark in combating climate change and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.