Summary : FRANKFURT, Aug 2 (Reuters) – German primary energy consumption fell 3.5% year-on-year in the first six months of 2022 due to a weaker economy, high prices and mild weather, industry statistics group AGEB said on Tuesday. Issuing its January to June 2022 report, AGEB said Europe’s biggest economy used 203.0 million tonnes of coal equivalent – an industry standard measure – in the period, down from 210.4 million tonnes a year earlier.
Primary energy refers to raw energy sources such as fossil fuels and renewables not converted into other forms.
The IMF last week cut its GDP growth outlook for Germany in 2022 to 1.2% from 2.1% in April, but growth is still intact in the post-COVID recovery.
Gas use fell 15% as industrial consumers shunned sky-high prices and less gas was used in power generation where favourable weather patterns brought higher production of wind and solar electricity.
The power industry also saw higher input of coal to help close a supply gap caused by the closure of three nuclear plants at the end of 2021.
Power lines are pictured in front of the Weisweiler brown coal power plant of German utility and energy supplier RWE in Weisweiler near the western German city of Aachen, Germany, January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File PhotoFRANKFURT, Aug 2 (Reuters) – German primary energy consumption fell 3.5% year-on-year in the first six months of 2022 due to a weaker economy, high prices and mild weather, industry statistics group AGEB said on Tuesday.Issuing its January to June 2022 report, AGEB said Europe’s biggest economy used 203.0 million tonnes of coal equivalent – an industry standard measure – in the period, down from 210.4 million tonnes a year earlier.
Primary energy refers to raw energy sources such as fossil fuels and renewables not converted into other forms.
The IMF last week cut its GDP growth outlook for Germany in 2022 to 1.2% from 2.1% in April, but growth is still intact in the post-COVID recovery. read moreEnergy savings were made as prices spiralled, an effect which would result in lower usage in the long-term because it meant that investments in efficiency would be more worth it, said AGEB.
Mineral oil use was up 7.3% year-on-year in the six months.
Gas use fell 15% as industrial consumers shunned sky-high prices and less gas was used in power generation where favourable weather patterns brought higher production of wind and solar electricity.The power industry also saw higher input of coal to help close a supply gap caused by the closure of three nuclear plants at the end of 2021.
