Germany is likely to wean itself off polluting coal “much sooner” than originally planned, after hitting a major milestone in its clean energy transition.
New data from London think-tank Energy Institute found that together wind and solar generated 44 per cent of the country’s electricity in 2025 – overtaking fossil fuels by one per cent.
Since the introduction of its landmark renewable energy law (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz) in 2000, the country’s share of generation from wind and solar alone has skyrocketed by around 42 per cent.
At the same time, coal – which is often described as the ‘dirtiest’ form of energy – fell from supplying more than half of Germany’s electricity to just 21 per cent. Experts are now hopeful that the country will wean itself off coal before 2038.
It’s an impressive feat considering Germany phased out nuclear power – which contributed to 6.6 per cent of the country’s total power production in 2022. While nuclear generation is often categorised as clean energy, concern around its harmful waste and environmental impacts remains rife.
