Renewable power accounted for 38 % of the electricity consumed in Germany in the first nine months of 2018 , according to utility association BDEW . Renewable power output of 170 billion kWh in the nine - month period was close to renewable power 's 172 billion output . The 38 % figure was up by three percentage points from the same period last year . Germany has a target of 65 % renewable power by 2030 . The reduction in solar and wind power contributed to 7 % lower carbon emissions in the first three quarters of the year , the biggest decline since 2000 .
Renewable power accounted for 38% of the electricity consumed in Germany in the first nine months of 2018, according to utility association BDEW. Renewable power output of 170 billion kWh in the nine-month period was close to coal power's 172 billion kWh. The 38% figure was up by three percentage points from the same period last year. Germany has a target of 65% renewable power by 2030. The rise in solar and wind power contributed to 7% lower CO2 emissions in the first three quarters of the year, the biggest decline since 2009.