Renewable Energy Boom in Thuringia's Electricity Production
Embracing the green energy revolution, Thuringian electricity producers pumped more juice from renewable sources into the grid in 2022 compared to the previous year. According to Thuringia's Statistical Office in Erfurt, 10,203 gigawatt hours (GWh) of power strode into the supply network last year, with an astounding 63.7% originating from renewable energy sources like wind power, photovoltaics, and biomass. In 2021, the tally was slightly lower at 9,573 GWh, with 60.7% of electricity drawn from renewables.
The powerhouse behind this shift was onshore wind turbines, raking in 3,068 GWh of electricity, followed by solar plants, producing 1,818 GWh, and biomass-powered electricity plants, supplying 1,419 GWh. The rise of these energy sources also came at the expense of natural gas, whose contribution to the grid fell by 6.5% to 1,636 GWh.
Worth noting, however, is that feed-in should not be confused with electricity generation. The data fails to account for electricity consumed by industrial power plants for their own purposes.
The trajectory is clear: reducing reliance on fossil fuels and leaning into alternative energy sources. In 2022, a considerable chunk of this shift was electricity-powered, derived primarily from renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and biomass.
Thuringia's renewable energy story mirrors its identity as the "green heart of Germany." In 2024, more than half (57%) of the region's electricity came from renewables, with wind power accounting for 22.4%[1]. To facilitate this growth, the distribution grid operator, TEAG, is investing in grid upgrades, including new cables, overhead lines, and digital technology for smarter managing and distributing renewable power[1].
Energiequelle GmbH, a local player, also secured contracts for numerous onshore wind projects in Thuringia, such as ones in Sömmerda and Heringen, that promise to provide electricity to thousands of households[4].
The numbers for 2022 may not spell out specific data, but the progress is undeniable. The shift towards using renewable energy sources in Thuringia's electricity production is a testament to its potential as a sustainable energy carrier. The region is investing in infrastructure, attracting new projects, and driving a steady transition off fossil fuels, setting a compelling example for the future of green energy.
