Energy Newsletter

Wind, solar and hydropower covered 58% of German electricity consumption for the first time in the first half of 2026 – a record that makes Germany a net electricity exporter again (only 1.25 TWh imports vs. 9.6 TWh in 2025). The energy transition is accelerating structurally, but poses massive flexibility and storage challenges for the electricity market and grid operators.

The June heat wave drove German electricity prices to record levels – in one week, costs rose by €371 million as gas power plants cleared the market. The merit-order mechanism reveals Europe's dependence on fossil backup capacity and threatens the affordability of the energy transition.

The federal government increases its state stake in three of the four transmission system operators (TenneT, 50Hertz, TransnetBW) to over 24% via KfW, while Amprion remains private. This state control is intended to secure the expansion of electricity superhighways for renewable energies and reduce strategic grid dependencies.

EnBW and partners launch major projects with 2.5 GWh battery storage, commissioning planned by end of 2027. The massive storage investment shows that large corporations take the volatility of the 58% renewable electricity market seriously and are initiating the next energy transition phase (flexibility rather than just expansion).

Secret lobby papers reveal that RWE and E.ON actively exclude battery storage and want to rely on fossil gas power plants – a rearguard action by established corporations against decentralized flexibility. The cartel spokesperson already criticizes that backup funding favors large players and blocks innovation.