Germany's energy use falls as oil demand drops, renewables grow

Germany's overall energy consumption fell by an estimated 1.9% in the first half of the year, according to a preliminary assessment by the Working Group on Energy Balances (AGEB) seen by dpa.

AGEB attributed the decline mainly to the country's persistently weak economy and higher energy prices.

Consumption of petroleum products declined by 8%, with petrol use down 0.6% and diesel consumption falling by almost 6%. Aviation fuel sales declined by more than 1%, while demand for light heating oil plunged by more than a third.

By contrast, deliveries of naphtha to the chemical industry rose by around 3%.

AGEB said the rise in energy prices had a "significant impact" on consumption.

Natural gas use increased by 1.3%, with the effects of weather, economic activity and prices largely offsetting one another.

Hard coal consumption rose by almost 7%, while lignite use fell by 4%.

Renewable energy consumption increased by 4%, mainly because of strong growth in wind power. Renewables' share of total energy consumption rose from 20.9% a year earlier to 22.2%.

Fossil fuels including oil, natural gas and coal still accounted for 75.9% of Germany's energy use.

Primary energy consumption totalled 5,341 petajoules, equivalent to 1,484 terawatt-hours, in the first six months.

AGEB comprises three industry associations and five research institutes specializing in energy economics.