Energy consumption in Germany this year down by a quarter compared to 1990.

(Patria) - Energy consumption in Germany will decrease in 2023, according to the latest projections, and will be at its lowest level since reunification, i.e., a quarter less than in 1990.

The main reason for the decline in consumption is the weakening of economic activity.

The Working Group on Energy Balances, in its latest forecast, expects a decrease of 7.9 percent, to 10,791 petajoules, which is equivalent to 2,988 terawatt hours.

This means that the consumption of so-called primary energies in Germany is more than a quarter lower compared to the previous peak in 1990, the working group announced today in Berlin.

Experts from the working group had already forecast energy consumption of this magnitude at the beginning of November.

According to the Federal Network Agency, 484 terawatt hours of electricity and 847 terawatt hours of natural gas were consumed in Germany in 2022. One terawatt hour is equal to one billion kilowatt hours.

"Energy-intensive industries, in particular, recorded a decline in production, which had a noticeable impact on energy consumption," the report states.

The consistently high level of energy prices significantly contributed to the reduction in energy consumption.

"Although the import prices of the most important imported energy sources have fallen noticeably during the year, prices are still significantly higher than in 2021," the report emphasizes.

The slightly warmer weather compared to the previous year had little impact on reducing consumption.

Only demographic trends had a stimulating effect on consumption in 2023, reports Hina.

"An inflow of 1.35 million people increased the total population to almost 85.5 million," the report adds.