Green Power Record: Germany Cracks the 61 Percent Mark

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Green Power Record: Germany Cracks the 61 Percent Mark.

Nearly 61 percent – more than ever before. In the first three quarters of 2026, renewable energies in Germany set a new record. According to heise online, wind and solar covered nearly 61 percent of electricity demand during this period. Handelsblatt speaks of a green power record.

This continues a trend that both sources describe consistently: climate-neutral electricity is on the rise in Germany. The share of renewable energies is growing – fueled by wind power and photovoltaics. Both sources cite wind and sun as the main drivers.

What does the figure mean for everyday life? More independence from imported fuels, a clear signal to fossil power plants – and growing importance during heat waves. We analyze what's behind the numbers and why experts see further potential especially in summer.

What does a 61 percent share mean?

A green power share of nearly 61 percent across three quarters is no one-off outlier but a structural figure. It shows: wind and sun now provide the majority of German electricity generation – without nuclear power, which was phased out in Germany in 2023.

heise online refers to the first three quarters of 2026 as "nearly 61 percent." Handelsblatt formulates it as "a share of 61 percent." Both figures are close and refer to the same period.

Why wind and sun in particular?

Both sources agree: wind power and solar energy are driving the increase. Handelsblatt writes verbatim: "This applies especially to wind power and solar." Photovoltaics benefit from massive expansion on German rooftops and open spaces, wind power from ever larger and more powerful installations on land and at sea.

Hydropower and biomass also play a role in the statistics but barely register compared to wind and sun. The expansion boom of recent years is clearly focused on the two most volatile but now cheapest renewable sources.

What will change next summer?

Handelsblatt quotes experts with the assessment: "In hot summers, green power could soon become even more important." Background: rising temperatures drive up electricity demand for air conditioning – at the same time, the efficiency of conventional power plants drops when river water for cooling becomes scarce.

Wind and solar power, by contrast, deliver regardless of water temperature. In sunshine, they produce even more. Precisely this dual function – consumption and generation both moving toward the sun – makes renewable energies the backbone of supply during heat waves.

What does this mean for you?

If the green power share remains permanently above 60 percent, it fundamentally changes the German electricity market. Electricity storage, grid expansion, and load management move more into focus. For you, this can have a long-term effect on electricity prices – away from imported fuels and toward domestic generation from wind and sun.