A new record was set in Germany on Easter Monday when the proportion of energy generated by renewable sources such as wind and solar power hit 77 percent.

Conditions in Germany produce green energy high

On April 22, strong winds and plenty of sunshine ensured that Germany’s renewable energy sources produced a record-breaking output. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy systems, on Monday over three quarters of Germany’s net public power supply - feeding home utilities across the country - was generated by green energy.

Of the total output, 40 percent came from wind power, 20 percent from solar power and a further 10 percent from biomass. So much energy was generated by these sources that, according to preliminary data from energy company E.ON, by midday, all of Germany’s power needs were covered by renewables.

Germany phasing out non-renewables

This record-breaking output is certainly good news for Germany’s government, who are pushing forward with a total phase-out of coal and nuclear power in favour of renewable energy sources. The country has committed to bringing the total share of renewable sources up to 65 percent by 2030.

While renewables can periodically cover the country’s entire power demand - wind power alone produced one-third of Germany’s electricity this March - a complete switchover to low-carbon sources is being held back by the slow growth of Germany’s power grid and its inadequate capacity for storing renewably-produced electricity.