The energy industry comprises energy production, energy conversion and the provision of energy for end use. This includes, for example, the extraction of fossil fuels such as lignite or natural gas, the generation of electricity in coal and gas-fired power plants, as well as the generation of electricity from renewable energy, but also the production of fuels in refineries or the distribution of energy in natural gas and district heating networks. In the future, processes such as the electrolysis of hydrogen or the production of other synthetic CO₂-free fuels will become relevant.
The transformation of the energy industry is highly relevant to the German energy transition, as it accounts for about one-third of Germany's GHG emissions, with the largest share arising from the conversion of lignite and hard coal, natural gas and oil into electricity. Furthermore, a large part of the decarbonization of the other sectors takes place through electrification, which requires a largely renewable power generation.
The essential strategy for reducing emissions is to phase out coal-fired power generation, expand wind energy and photovoltaics, and finally convert any necessary remaining gas-fired power plants to burning green hydrogen. In parallel, the energy infrastructure has to be adapted to the increasing demand for decentralization and the storage of electrical energy.
Annual GHG emissions from the energy industry, mainly due to converting energy carriers into electricity and heat, but also for the extraction of energy sources or the production of fuels in refineries.
GHG emissions from the energy industry are strongly dominated by fossil power generation, as well as heat generation, and fuel production in refineries. Due to the rising CO₂ price in European emissions trading and the (partly) resulting decline in coal-fired power generation, emissions also fell significantly in 2015-20. In 2020, lower electricity demand as a result of the Corona pandemic and weather-related higher electricity generation from wind energy also contributed to this. This significant decline in emissions continued in 2023 and 2024.
CO₂ emissions from the energy industry per unit of electricity generated (minus internal demand) by combusting fossil fuels.
Climate protection scenarios consistently show that electricity is the energy source that can be decarbonized most quickly and easily. Decarbonization is illustrated by the CO₂ intensity of electricity generation: In the target scenarios, this falls to 45-130 gCO₂/kWh by 2030 (around 70 gCO₂/kWh in the lead model), compared to 330-370 gCO₂/kWh in the years 2019-21.
Installed electrical capacity of offshore wind turbines, adjusted for self-consumption (net capacity).
The rapid expansion of the installed capacity of renewable energies has a direct reducing effect on the emission intensity of electricity generation and - with an increasing electrification of other sectors - also on the transformation outside the energy industry.
Installed electrical capacity of onshore wind turbines, adjusted for self-consumption (net capacity).
The rapid expansion of the installed capacity of renewable energies has a direct reducing effect on the emission intensity of electricity generation and - with an increasing electrification of other sectors - also on the transformation outside the energy industry.
Installed electrical capacity of photovoltaics, adjusted for self-consumption (net output).
The rapid expansion of the installed capacity of renewable energies has a direct reducing effect on the emission intensity of electricity generation and - with an increasing electrification of other sectors - also on the transformation outside the energy industry.
Annual net electricity generation from lignite, hard coal, gas, and oil-fired power plants (not including internal demand of plants).
CO₂ emissions from the energy industry are largely determined by electricity generation from fossil fuels - hard coal and lignite, natural gas and oil. In parallel with the expansion of renewables, also the phase-out of fossil-based power generation has to be pushed forward quickly.
Capacity (in terms of electricity used) of all operating and planned electrolyzers for the production of hydrogen.
The availability of renewably produced (climate-neutral, green) hydrogen is a crucial pillar of the energy transition to climate neutrality. Its use will become necessary where decarbonization cannot be achieved through electrification (e.g., as a feedstock and heat source for many industrial processes), and in the power industry during periods of low electricity generation from renewables.