Renewable energy took over as the number one power generation technology in Germany last year for the first time.
An analysis by consultancy Agora Energiewende revealed that renewables composed 27.3% of domestic power consumption in 2014, displacing lignite as the top source of power in the energy mix.
Power demand fell by 4% in 2014, despite economic growth of 1.4%, continuing a trend for electricity usage to decouple from growth. Greenhouse-gas emissions also fell in 2014 and are currently at their second-lowest level since 1990. This is due largely to the mild winter at the beginning of the year and the decrease in coal for power production.
Electricity generation from nuclear remained steady in 2014, though it is likely to decline this year as the Grafenrheinfeld plant shuts down in the spring. The German government is aiming for a renewables share of 40–45% by 2025.