Renewables dominate generation in the first quarter

02.04.2026

Source: E & M powernews

According to ZSW and BDEW, renewable energies will cover around 53% of electricity consumption in Germany in the first quarter of 2026. Wind power in particular is responsible for the increase.

Renewable energies covered around 53% of electricity consumption in Germany in the first quarter of 2026. This is according to preliminary calculations by the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW). This represents an increase of almost six percentage points compared to the same period last year.

In total, renewable energy plants generated 73.4 billion kWh of electricity from January to March. Gross electricity generation amounted to 140.6 billion kWh and was therefore 5.6 percent higher than the previous year's figure. Gross domestic electricity consumption amounted to 137.6 billion kWh.

According to the standard calculation method, the share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption is 53%. This figure is based on European requirements and serves as a reference for the German government's expansion targets. In relation to gross electricity generation, this results in a share of 52.2 percent.

Differences in the sources

According to the organizations, wind energy was the main driver of growth. Electricity generation from onshore wind rose by 27.5 percent compared to the low wind quarter of the previous year, and by as much as 44.4 percent at sea. In contrast, electricity production from photovoltaics was around five percent below the previous year's figure. ZSW and BDEW cite unfavorable weather conditions and a sunnier start to the year in 2025 as the reasons for this.

The development of other renewable sources was also mixed. Electricity production from hydropower fell by around 21% due to low precipitation. Generation from biomass remained almost stable with a drop of 1.5%.

Onshore wind energy accounted for 24.5% of total electricity generation (34.4 billion kWh), offshore wind for 7.0% (9.8 billion kWh), photovoltaics for 9.6% (13.5 billion kWh), biomass for 7.8% (11.0 billion kWh) and hydropower for 2.4% (3.3 billion kWh). Conventional energy sources accounted for 67.2 billion kWh, slightly below the previous year's level.

Strengthening the role of renewables

Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board, sees the development as a signal for the role of renewable energies in supply, according to the association. "In addition to climate protection, they also contribute to security of supply and strategic independence," she pointed out.

With a view to geopolitical tensions, she emphasized the importance of reduced dependence on fossil imports. At the same time, Andreae called for further support to be given to the momentum through reforms to grids and the Renewable Energy Sources Act. Reliable framework conditions for investments in plants and grid infrastructure are crucial.

The ZSW also refers to the industrial policy dimension. The Managing Director of the ZSW, Frithjof Staiß, explained that a supply based on renewable energies strengthens the resilience of industry and opens up potential for innovation. He calls for greater use to be made of both national and European instruments in order to accelerate expansion and secure industrial value creation in areas such as hydrogen, batteries and CO2 capture.

At the same time, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) is planning adjustments to the energy transition (we reported). Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) wants to dovetail the expansion of renewable energies more closely with grid expansion and review funding mechanisms. The goal remains a share of 80 percent renewable electricity in consumption by 2030.

Author: Susanne Harmsen