Energy resources

Collage energy sources Source: BGR

Renewable energy resources, including deep geothermal energy and hydrogen, as well as conventional energy sources such as natural gas, oil, nuclear fuel and coal are used for electricity, heat and mobility. Fossil fuels account for around 88% of global CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions. To accomplish the climate targets, these sectors are therefore key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Unlocking the energy transition therefore needs a fundamental restructuring of the energy landscape, while simultaneously maintaining security of energy supply.

As a highly developed industrialised country, Germany is one of the largest energy consumers in the world. As part of the implementation of the energy transition, Germany is further expanding the generation of primary energy from renewable sources. While the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption is growing steadily, fossil fuels, most of which being imported, still accounted for around three-quarters of primary energy consumption in 2021.

The BGR provides data and facts on German and global energy developments. Building on this, with its own scientific research and analyses, the BGR contributes to the environmentally sound and secure supply of energy to the Federal Republic of Germany and EU. Regularly, the BGR provides updates on global energy data in the form of the annually published BGR Energy Data, as well as in the biennial BGR Energy Study - Data and Developments in German and Global Energy Supplies.

The BGR is a member of the editorial group "Energy for Germany" of the World Energy Council Germany e. V. (WEC).