Latest data on renewable energies
The expansion of renewable energies in Germany is a success story. This is confirmed by a recent report by the Federal Environment Ministry: within the last five years, the share of renewables in final energy consumption in Germany has doubled to 8.6%. Their share in gross electricity consumption now stands at 14.2% - twice as high as six years ago. In 2007, renewable energies contributed to climate protection with a CO2 saving of around 115 million tonnes.
Since 2002, the Federal Environment Ministry's report "Renewable Energies in Figures" has provided an annual overview of the development of renewables in Germany, the EUand throughout the world. This collection of data has now become the standard reference work for all those taking a closer look at renewables.
The latest edition again proves the macroeconomic benefits of a vigorous expansion of renewable energies. Last year (2007), the sector recorded a turnover of 25 billion euro. The number of people employed in the industry reached the 250,000 mark – equivalent to a 55 % increase within three years. Current figures show that renewables already pay off for Germany's national economy: for every euro of funding arising from the Renewable Energy Sources Act, €1,60 is saved on fossil energy imports and prevention of external environmental damage caused by other energy sources.
"Renewable Energies in Figures" can be found on the BMU's Internet website on renewable energies. To order a printed copy, please send a postcard to Bundesumweltministerium, Postfach 300361, 53183 Bonn, order number 2118. An English version of the report is in progress.