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Germany's Wind and Solar Power Exceeds Fossil Fuels for First Time in 2025
Key points
- Wind and solar generated 225 TWh in Germany in 2025.
- Fossil fuels generated 217 TWh in Germany in 2025.
- Germany's wind and solar share was 44% of total electricity in 2025.
- Germany recorded 12 billion kWh solar feed-in in July 2026.
- Germany aims for net-zero emissions by 2045.
Renewable Energy Surpasses Fossil Fuels
For the first time in 2025, wind and solar power generated more electricity in Germany than fossil fuels. According to Carbon Brief's analysis of Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy data, wind and solar collectively produced 225 terawatt hours (TWh), accounting for 44% of the total electricity. In contrast, fossil fuels generated 217 TWh, or 43% of the total.
Germany's Energy Transition Goals
This development is part of Germany's "Energiewende" strategy, which focuses on transitioning away from coal and nuclear power towards renewables. Germany has set targets to achieve economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2045, an 80% renewables share of electricity consumption by 2030, and a "largely climate neutral" power system by 2035. The country aims to install 115 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind by 2030, with 20.8 GW of new capacity approved in 2025.
Record Solar Contribution
Further demonstrating the growth of renewables, Germany's photovoltaic (PV) systems fed a record 12 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar electricity into the public power grid in July 2026. This monthly record, based on an analysis by the Internationales Wirtschaftsforum Regenerative Energien (IWR) using ENTSO-E data, indicates solar energy's increasing role in the country's electricity supply. The IWR noted that the actual solar power generated was higher, as on-site consumption is not included in feed-in statistics.
Impact on Power System
During July 2026, average midday solar power output in Germany exceeded 40,000 MW. This level of generation displaced electricity that would otherwise have been produced by coal- and gas-fired power plants. The IWR stated that this milestone represents a structural shift in Germany's power system, with photovoltaics evolving into a primary pillar of the energy mix.
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Primary sources
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Germany's photovoltaic systems fed 12 billion kilowatt-hours of solar electricity into the public power grid in July 2026, marking a new monthly record. This milestone indicates solar energy's increasing contribution to Germany's electricity supply and its evolving role from a supplementary source to a primary pillar.
In 2025, wind and solar power generated more electricity in Germany than fossil fuels for the first time, producing 225 TWh compared to 217 TWh from fossil sources. This milestone reflects Germany's "Energiewende" strategy to transition to renewables and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.