BERLIN, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Germany generated 58.4 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, according to preliminary results published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday.
This was the highest share ever recorded in a first quarter, and despite a general decline in electricity generation in Q1, electricity production from renewable sources increased by 11.6 percent year-on-year, according to the figures.
"Wind power remains the most important source of energy and records strong growth compared to the same quarter of the previous year," Destatis said. 38.5 percent of electricity generated in Germany came from wind power in Q1.
"New systems are already being approved more quickly and the expansion is progressing," the government said at the end of April. By the end of 2023, onshore turbines with a total capacity of 61 gigawatts (GW) had been installed, with capacity expected to reach 69 GW by the end of 2024.
By 2030, Germany aims to cover at least 80 percent of its gross electricity consumption with renewable energies.
Electricity generation from conventional energy sources in Q1 fell by 25.4 percent. However, with a share of 23 percent of total electricity production, coal remained Germany's second most important energy source. ■