WIESBADEN (dpa-AFX) – Wind and solar power have overtaken coal and gas: In the third quarter of 2025, two-thirds (64.1 percent) of electricity generated in Germany came from renewable sources. According to the Federal Statistical Office, this marks a record high for this period.
Wind power, with increasing electricity output, was once again the most important energy source, contributing more than a quarter (26.8 percent) to the slightly increased total production of 98.3 billion kilowatt-hours. Electricity generation from photovoltaics also rose and, at 24.1 percent, was the second most significant energy source for domestic electricity production in the third quarter.
The Wiesbaden-based statisticians attributed these record summer figures for both energy sources to the expansion of wind turbines and photovoltaic systems.
Is Politics Slowing Down the Expansion of Renewable Energies?
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Katherina Reiche (CDU), announced in September a stronger focus on cost efficiency in the transition of the energy system towards climate neutrality, proposing ten measures, including the abolition of fixed feed-in tariffs for new photovoltaic installations.
While wind power, photovoltaics, biogas, and hydropower together delivered more electricity compared to the same period last year, the share of fossil energy sources, according to the Federal Office, slightly decreased to 35.9 percent of total electricity production.
Less Electricity from Coal Power Plants - New Gas Power Plants Planned
Coal remains the third most important energy source in German electricity production. However, electricity generated from coal power plants now accounts for only one-fifth (20.6 percent) of the total, compared to 36.2 percent in the third quarter of 2022.
By contrast, electricity generation from natural gas increased by 8.1 percent in the third quarter of the current year compared to the same quarter last year. Natural gas thus accounted for 12 percent of domestic electricity generation.
Germany plans to gradually phase out coal-fired power generation by 2038, resulting in the loss of so-called secured capacity. The federal government has decided to build new gas power plants to ensure electricity supply when sun and wind are insufficient./ben/DP/stw
