Germany January-June electricity generationBut unless power prices undergo a significant further and persistent decline, total German energy consumption - and output - may remain depressed and cause enduring economic harm.
Despite persistently lower prices, German total electricity generation was 247 terawatt hours (TWh) in the first half, 12.4% lower than the 282 TWh generated over the same period in 2022.
This shows the deep impact on total electricity consumption from sustained cuts to power use by certain production lines and smokestack plants.
For German energy producers, subsidies are available to build renewable supply capacity from solar and wind sites, which can help lift total electricity supply relatively quickly and help end users decarbonise.
And without further steep, sustained reductions in power costs in coming months, many of these businesses may risk permanent contractions or closure even though power costs have already retreated sharply from last year's peaks.
Persons:
Gavin Maguire, David Gregorio Our
Organizations:
Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
Ukraine, Europe, Germany