Renewable energy share rose to 15 percent in 2022

In 2020, renewable energy consumption amounted to 277 PJ (petajoules), representing a year-on-year increase of 6 percent. Gross final energy consumption was approximately 1850 PJ last year, down by more than 7 percent on the previous year and the lowest since 1990. The main cause was a strong decline in natural gas consumption. The renewable energy share rose partly due to the decline in total energy consumption.

Again more new solar panels

In 2022, solar energy consumption (for electricity and heat) went up by 45 percent to 62 PJ year on year. This was mainly due to the installation of new solar panels. Total installed solar capacity increased by 28 percent year on year, to over 19 thousand MW (megawatts).

In addition, 2022 was a particularly sunny year. Of the installed solar panels, 20 percent are in solar parks while 80 percent are on roofs or are solar car parking shades.

More wind energy

Year on year, wind energy consumption grew by 13 percent to 78 PJ in 2022. Consumption from off-shore wind power was around 30 PJ, roughly the same as in 2021. In the same period, onshore wind energy consumption rose by 25 percent to 47 PJ.

Total wind turbine capacity amounted to nearly 9 thousand megawatts (MW) at the end of 2022, 14 percent more than in the previous year. This increase is largely attributable to new onshore wind farms, adding 950 MW. Offshore capacity rose by 110 MW.

Biomass consumption declining

Gross final consumption of biomass showed a decrease of 15 percent in 2022. This was partly due to the fact that one quarter less biomass was co-fired at power stations.

In addition, since mid-2021, stricter sustainability criteria have applied to certain plants for solid and gaseous biomass. If these are not complied with, the biomass used does not count towards gross final energy consumption according to the European calculation method. Despite the decline, the largest contribution to renewable energy continues to come from biomass (40 percent).

Consumption of biofuels fell by 4 percent in 2022. Biopetrol consumption rose by 7 percent, while biodiesel consumption declined by 12 percent. The supply of biodiesel to international shipping did show a substantial increase.

More heat pumps

The contribution of heat pumps to the total amount of renewable energy is still relatively small at 7 percent but is rising. The total amount of heat extracted in 2022 was up by over a quarter, exceeding 20 PJ.

Heat pumps play an increasing role in heating buildings. A heat pump extracts energy (heat) from the outside air or soil (up to 500 meters deep).

Figures on the number of hybrid heat pumps are also available for the first time in 2022. A hybrid heat pump is a heat pump that works in conjunction with a boiler for central heating. Roughly a quarter of the ouitdoor air-to-water heat pumps installed in 2022 are hybrid.