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Endenergieproduktivität und Primärenergieverbrauch
Year Value Units Series
2008 100.0 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2009 100.639 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2010 98.304 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2011 106.161 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2012 105.707 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2013 103.9 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2014 112.129 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2015 110.64 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2016 112.256 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2017 114.263 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2018 116.973 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2019 118.235 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2020 121.138 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2021 121.041 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2022 126.62 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2023 131.763 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2024 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2030 2008 = 100 a) Final energy productivity
2008 100.0 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2009 93.945 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2010 98.304 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2011 94.048 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2012 94.75 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2013 96.71 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2014 92.085 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2015 93.031 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2016 93.905 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2017 94.062 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2018 91.704 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2019 89.132 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2020 82.719 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2021 86.59 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2022 81.246 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2023 74.123 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2024 73.335 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption
2030 2008 = 100 b) Primary energy consumption

Data source: AG Energiebilanzen e.V.

Geographical Area: Germany

This table includes additional information to the above visualized indicators, i.e. a short definition of this indicator and a description of the politically determined target values as well as explaining the political intention behind selecting this indicator.

Definition

The final energy productivity indicator (7.1.a) shows the development of value added per unit of final energy used compared to the base year 2008. The term ‘final energy’ refers to the portion of energy that is available as thermal or electrical energy for the production of goods or for use in private households. Indicator 7.1.b shows the development of primary energy consumption compared to the base year 2008. Primary energy consumption is calculated as the sum of final energy consumption, non-energy consumption and the balance in the transformation balance. In the transformation balance, the transformation of energy sources is shown as input and output. Own consumption in the transformation areas and flaring and distribution losses are also recognised in the transformation balance.
Intention

Reducing energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency is the second main pillar of the energy transition alongside the expansion of renewable energies. The aim is to achieve a high level of economic performance with as little energy as possible. Saving energy protects the climate and the environment, contributes to improving security of supply and the competitiveness of industry.
Target

7.1.a: Significant increase
7.1.b: Reduction by at least 39.3 per cent by 2030 compared to 2008
Type of target

7.1.a: Target direction
7.1.b: Goal with a specific target value
Implemen­tation in weather symbol calculation

Final energy productivity (7.1.a) is to increase. Primary energy consumption (7.1.b) is to be reduced to a maximum of 60.7 per cent of the 2008 value by 2030.

Based on the target formulation, indicator 7.1.a for 2023 is rated as “Sun”, as the indicator value recorded an increase both last year and on average over the last six years.

A specific target value for 2030 is planned for indicator 7.1.b, which will already be undercut in 2028 if the average development of the last six years is maintained. Indicator 7.1.b is rated as “Sun” for the year 2024.
Assessment

7.1.a: Weathersymbol: Sun
7.1.b: Weathersymbol: Sun
Data state

18.03.2025

7.1.a, b Final energy productivity and primary energy consumption

When analysing energy consumption, a distinction is made between primary energy and final energy:

• Primary energy refers to the energy contained in natural energy resources such as natural gas, crude oil, coal or uranium prior to a transformation. Energy obtained from renewable sources also qualifies as primary energy.

• Final energy is the portion of primary energy that is made available to the final consumer in the form of, for example, electricity, district heating, gas, or fuels. It is derived from primary energy, minus the losses incurred during conversion, transmission, and storage.

7.1.a Final Energy Productivity

Final energy productivity describes the ratio between economic output – measured by gross domestic product (GDP) – and the amount of final energy consumed. It serves as an indicator of energy efficiency in the production of goods, the provision of services, and energy consumption in private households.

As the indicator is based on final energy, losses occurring during conversion, transmission and storage are not taken into account. Consequently, it does not provide information about the efficiency of energy transformation processes – such as the efficiency of power plants – or about advances in energy transmission and storage technologies.

Between 2008 and 2023, final energy productivity increased by 31.8 %, according to preliminary figures, with 10.8 percentage points of this growth occurring in 2022 and 2023 alone. Thus, the politically defined target of a continuous increase was achieved both in the most recent year and on a multi-year average.

Until 2019, the development of the indicator was primarily driven by an increase in GDP (+14.7 % compared to 2008), while final energy consumption remained relatively stable (–3.0 %). Between 2021 and 2023, GDP rose only slightly, while energy consumption declined significantly – from 94.2 % to 87.5 % of the 2008 level. As a result, final energy productivity continued to rise despite stagnating GDP.

Clear regional disparities are observable: in 2022, final energy productivity in Sachsen-Anhalt stood at €0.90 per kilowatt-hour – an increase of just 4.6 % compared to 2008. Sachsen-Anhalt thus recorded the lowest absolute value and the weakest growth in final energy productivity among the Bundesländer. The highest values were observed in the city-states of Berlin (€3.34 per kilowatt-hour) and Hamburg (€3.54 per kilowatt-hour). Berlin also recorded the largest increase among all Bundesländer, with a 72.8 % rise compared to 2008.

Total final energy consumption in 2023 amounted to 8,163 petajoules, down from 9,327 petajoules in 2008. Of this, approximately 14 % was attributable to the commerce, trade and services sector, 28 % each to households and industry, and 31 % to transport.

7.1.b Primary Energy Consumption

Primary energy consumption refers to the total energy content of all energy carriers used domestically. This includes primary energy carriers such as lignite and hard coal, mineral oil, natural gas, and energy from renewable sources. These are either used directly or converted into secondary energy carriers such as electricity, district heating, petrol or diesel.

The calculation is based on the sum of domestically produced energy carriers, plus the balance of imports and exports and changes in stock levels, minus the supply of fuels and lubricants to national and international maritime shipping in German ports. The basis for this is the energy balances of the Working Group on Energy Balances (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Energiebilanzen, AGEB), supplemented by additional data sources.

Unlike final energy productivity, this indicator does not incorporate any economic reference figures and focuses solely on consumption. Since it is based on primary energy, improvements in the efficiency of fossil fuel conversion – particularly in electricity generation – are taken into account. However, it is not possible to clearly determine whether changes in the indicator result from changes in energy consumption or from developments in energy generation, transformation and transmission. In the case of electricity generation from renewable sources, the energy produced is counted as primary energy, which means that efficiency gains in these systems are not directly reflected in the indicator.

Between 2008 and 2024, primary energy consumption declined to 73.3 % of the 2008 baseline, according to preliminary data. If the trend of recent years continues, the politically set target – a reduction in primary energy consumption of at least 39.3 % by 2030 compared to 2008 – is likely to be achieved ahead of schedule.

Here too, pronounced regional disparities are evident: while primary energy consumption in Sachsen rose to 102.8 % of the 2008 level in 2022, it fell to 73.5 % in Schleswig-Holstein and 66.5 % in Saarland.