Germany's energy use dropped to record lows in 2020

Energy consumption in Germany dropped by 8.7% - representing a record low in 2020 as demand decreased due to the pandemic - meeting analysts' forecasts, according to market research group AGEB.

The group had previously predicted a decline of between 7% and 11% owing to complications from the pandemic, focusing on primary energy sources such as fossil fuels and renewables.

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Advances in industry and technology saw energy use fall in Germany in 2019, where numbers reached their lowest levels since the 1970s.

Throughout 2020 Germany used 398.8 million tonnes of coal and its equivalent in raw energy consumption compared with 436.8 million tonnes in 2019.

These declines came primarily from reduced coal consumption in power generation and steelmaking, which also lead to a large decrease in carbon emissions, the data suggested.

The research shows that overall German carbon emissions decreased by 12% for 2020 - equating to a roughly 80 million tonne drop.

Another report also showed that wholesale power prices dropped significantly throughout 2020, with the average being €7 per kW/h lower than in 2019.

This was also attributed to lower demand for electricity owing to the pandemic as well as lower fuel costs and increasing amounts of electricity being generated by renewable sources, which are usually far cheaper.

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2020 also saw renewable energy output surpass fossil fuels for the first time, which likely contributed to the drop ion carbon emissions.

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