Germany: power from coal is booming, solar energy stagnates

Germany: power from coal is booming, solar energy stagnates

26.07.2013: Electricity from fossil fuels experienced a renaissance in Germany in the first half of 2013 due, in part, to declining prices for CO2 certificates. According to new figures from the German Association of Energy and Water (BDEW), lignite, coal and gas power plants produced a total of 120,198 GWh of electricity in the first 6 months of 2013, a 12.4% increase over the previous year. The increase in fossil fuel production was enabled by a drop in the price of CO2 certificates, which fell 41.3% year on year in the first half of 2013. Meanwhile, solar power production stayed flat year on year at 14,157 GWh despite the fact that installed solar capacity has grown by several gigawatts since last year. Solar power production was particularly disappointing in January and February, when, on average, 36% less solar power was injected into the grid compared to last year. However, green energy is still having an impact on energy prices. Prices for 1-year futures for baseload power decreased by an average of 20.3% year on year in the first 6 months of 2013. At the same time, prices for power on the spot market for power supply for the following day decreased by approximately 12%. © PHOTON

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

646.402.5076

www.arcstarenergy.com