Germany’s Energy Consumption Rises Slightly in 2025 Amid Colder Weather and Shifting Market Trends

Germany’s energy consumption in 2025 has shown a modest increase during the first three quarters of the year, reflecting the combined influence of colder weather, energy pricing dynamics, and ongoing changes in the national energy mix. According to the latest German energy market trends, renewable energy sources contributed around 20.2% of total consumption, marking a 2% increase compared with the previous year. Projections for the entire year suggest that overall energy demand may rise by approximately 1%, reaching close to 10,651 petajoules (PJ).

Colder Temperatures Drive Higher Energy Demand

One of the primary drivers of this increase has been the cooler winter conditions. In particular, the months of February and March were significantly colder than in 2024, leading to higher demand for renewable heating energy and conventional fuels alike. Analysts estimate that without the impact of lower temperatures, overall energy consumption in Germany would have declined slightly, by about 0.3%.

While the German energy forecast for 2025 indicates rising demand, the country’s slow industrial output—especially in energy-intensive sectors—has helped moderate total consumption. The energy efficiency trend continues to play an important role in offsetting consumption growth linked to climatic factors.

Energy Prices Show Mixed Effects on Consumption

The energy prices and consumption trends observed in 2025 varied across different resources. Lower prices for fossil fuels temporarily increased competitiveness in some sectors, while renewable power maintained its position as a key contributor to Germany’s sustainable energy transition. This balance between traditional and renewable sources continues to shape the country’s energy sector trends and long-term strategy.

Energy Balance in the First Three Quarters of 2025

Preliminary estimates indicate that Germany’s total primary energy consumption reached approximately 7,721 PJ during the first nine months of 2025—an increase of 1.1% compared to the same period in 2024. Rising use of renewable energy in Germany, natural gas, and oil offset the decline in both hard coal and lignite.

The share of renewable energy rose by about 2%, driven by higher usage in the heating sector (up 8%) due to the colder climate. A record number of sunny days boosted solar energy output by 19%, contributing significantly to renewable electricity production. However, wind power generation fell by 11%, and hydropower output dropped by 25%, leaving total electricity generation from renewables about 1% lower than last year.

Oil demand rose by 1.5%, and gas consumption increased by 3.7%, while both hard coal and lignite use declined by 2.6% and 3.8%, respectively. The reduced use of coal in heavy industry contrasted with higher deployment in power generation.

Reduced Electricity Import Surplus

Germany’s energy demand forecast for 2025 also highlights a changing electricity trade balance. In the first three quarters of the year, electricity imports exceeded exports by around 15.1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), yet this import surplus was 4.8 billion kWh lower than during the same period in 2024. Imports fell by nearly 4%, while exports rose by 6%, showing a gradual improvement in the balance of power exchange within Europe’s interconnected market.

Outlook: A More Resilient and Balanced Energy System

Looking ahead, Germany’s energy sector trends point toward gradual progress in building a sustainable and resilient energy system. Despite short-term fluctuations caused by seasonal weather and market factors, the steady rise in renewable capacity—especially solar and wind—underscores the country’s ongoing renewable energy transition. Continued investment in energy efficiency, coupled with stable policy support, is expected to strengthen the long-term balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility.