Primary Energy Consumption (PEC) in Germany: Definition, Current Figures & Development

Brief overview

• The primary energy consumption (PEV) Germany's [primary energy consumption] in 2025, according to the current estimate by the Working Group on Energy Balances (AGEB), was around 2.931 TWh (10,553 petajoules). This was nearly at the previous year's level (-0.1 %; adjusted for weather conditions, the decline would have been more pronounced at around -1.2 %).
• Since the historic peak in 1990 (around 4,140 TWh), the PEV fell by a total of about 29 %. The share of renewables stood at 20.8 % in 2025.
• According to the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), PEV is expected to be 39.3 % below the 2008 level by 2030. Current projections by the Federal Environment Agency indicate that this goal is at risk given the measures adopted to date.

What is primary energy consumption (PEC)?

Primary energy consumption refers to the energy content of all energy sources used in a country, measured in their original, not yet converted form. This includes both fossil fuels such as mineral oil, natural gas, brown coal (lignite), and hard coal, as well as renewable energies such as wind power, photovoltaics, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy.

The primary energy consumption is calculated by the Energy Balances Working Group (AGEB) as the sum of domestic energy production, adjusted for the foreign trade balance (imports and exports) as well as the balance of energy storage injections and withdrawals. The basis is the so-called principle of efficiency. Directly combusted energy sources, such as coal, gas, and oil, are included in the balance based on their calorific value. Electricity from wind, hydro, and solar power, on the other hand, is assumed to have a theoretical efficiency of 100 %, while geothermal energy is assumed to have an efficiency of 10 %. This methodology has an important side effect: The PEV automatically decreases when fossil-fuel power plants—which have conversion losses of 35–45 %—are replaced by renewable generation assumed to be loss-free—even if actual final energy consumption remains constant.

The PEC is thus the most comprehensive of the four central German energy balance indicators. It forms the baseline from which – after deduction of conversion and transmission losses – the gross final energy consumption and, specifically for the electricity sector, the Gross electricity consumption and the Gross electricity generation derive.

Distinction from BEEV, BSV and BSE

The four key figures of the German energy balance have a hierarchical relationship to one another and are frequently confused.

A detailed comparison with calculation logic and sample data can be found in the article on Energy balance of Germany.

Development of primary energy consumption in Germany

The PEV has been since the mid-2000s structurally declining. Main drivers are the structural economic shift toward less energy-intensive production, increases in energy efficiency, the growing share of renewable energies (with the methodological bonus effect described above), and—in the short term—economic weakness and weather conditions.

Noteworthy: The decline between 2022 and 2023 (approximately -8 %) was primarily due to economic factors—energy-intensive industries significantly scaled back their production in response to high energy prices. In 2024 and 2025, however, the trend slowed considerably and stabilized near the 2,930 TWh mark.

The energy mix in 2024 looks as follows: Petroleum remains the largest single component at approximately 36 %, followed by natural gas (approx. 26 %). Lignite and bituminous coal each account for around 7–8 %. Nuclear energy has not contributed to the PEV since the final shutdown on April 15, 2023; the share of renewable energy is rising steadily.

Regulatory framework: The 2030 EnEfG target

With the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), which came into force in 2023, the legislator has legally stipulated that the primary energy consumption (PEV) by 39.3 % below the 2008 level by 2030 (approximately 3,890 TWh)—which would correspond to a target of about 2,360 TWh. However, the Federal Environment Agency’s “Greenhouse Gas Projections 2026” conclude that even if all currently planned measures were implemented, the PEV 2030 would only decrease to about 2,722 TWh (9,800 PJ). This represents a decrease of only about 32 % compared to 2008. The projection report on the Climate targets 2030 Consequently, Germany will also miss the ESR targets by 255 million tons of CO₂.

Classification: What the PEV decline means for companies

A falling primary energy consumption is not the same as a falling electricity demand. The opposite is rather true: due to the ongoing electrification of heat, mobility, and industrial processes (heat pumps, e-mobility, power-to-X), the share of electricity in the energy system is likely to increase. This also applies if total primary energy consumption continues to fall due to methodological reasons. For companies, this means rather that stable and predictable access to electricity is becoming more important. In-house PV power generation and backup through battery storage systems ensure this regardless of how the overall primary energy balance develops. How this shift is specifically reflected in gross electricity consumption is covered in the article on Gross electricity consumption.

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