Even Germany Still Has a Long Way to Go

Germany has installed more solar PV systems than any other country. But according to a survey published this week by the Federal Association of the Electricity and Water Industry (BDEW), fossil fuels still accounted for 80% of German electricity generation in 2010. Electricity generated by renewable sources rose slightly to 17%.

The breakdown by type of generation is:

Source________________2009________2010*

Nuclear_______________22.9%________23%
Lignite_______________24.0%________23%
Hard Coal_____________17.7%________18%
Natural Gas___________13.7%________14%
Renewables____________16.5%________17%
Heating Oil,
Pumped Hydro, Others____5.2%_________5%

* rounded estimate

Within the renewables category, wind power provided 6.2%, biomass 4.7%, hydro power 3.2%, solar PV 2% and waste power plants 0.8%.