Blown Off Course: Germany’s Wind Power Woes Spark Coal Comeback
Germany Turns to Coal as Weak Wind Output Strains Renewable Energy Ambitions
Editorial Team (ET)May 18, 2025
Germany’s coal-fired power generation has surged to its highest level in more than a year as sluggish wind speeds cripple the country’s renewable energy output. With wind farms generating only a fraction of their record capacity, coal plants have ramped up production to compensate, hitting an output of approximately 8.1 gigawatts on Thursday—the highest level since February 2024.
This resurgence of coal highlights a growing challenge for Germany’s energy transition. The nation, which shuttered its last nuclear power plants in 2023, has struggled to maintain stability in its power grid during prolonged periods of weak wind output.
Coal Fills the Energy Gap as Renewables Falter
The reliance on coal has intensified as renewable sources underperform. On Wednesday, German wind farms generated just 5 gigawatts of power—an abysmal figure compared to their peak of over 53 gigawatts recorded in December 2023. Without nuclear energy to fall back on, grid operators have increasingly turned to fossil fuels, causing a sharp spike in coal-fired electricity generation.
This unexpected surge has also sent German electricity prices soaring. Intraday power prices neared €200 per megawatt-hour on Thursday morning, reflecting the costly impact of relying on fossil fuels when renewables fail to deliver.
A Blow to Germany’s Decarbonization Goals
The spike in coal usage underscores a critical flaw in Germany’s energy strategy: insufficient backup for renewable energy fluctuations. While much of Western Europe has been phasing out coal, Germany remains an outlier, continuing to rely on both coal and gas during periods of weak renewable output.
“Germany often uses both gas- and coal-fired power when there’s a low amount of wind output,” said Robert Pulleyn, equity analyst and commodity strategist at Morgan Stanley. The country's energy dependency on volatile weather conditions raises concerns about long-term energy security and carbon reduction commitments.
The Future of Germany’s Energy Mix
As climate challenges intensify and demand for reliable electricity grows, Germany faces mounting pressure to bolster its energy grid. The current crisis highlights the need for stronger investments in battery storage, hydrogen power, and alternative baseload solutions to prevent recurring reliance on coal.
Without decisive action, Germany’s energy transition risks being derailed by the very forces it seeks to combat—unpredictable natural conditions and reliance on fossil fuels. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the country can balance its green ambitions with grid stability or if coal will continue making an unwelcome comeback.
