Germany recorded a deficit of 2.29 billion euros in international electricity trade in 2023, reported the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Monday, citing data from the regulator.
Germany imported 54 terawatt-hours of electricity last year, worth 5.7 billion euros. It exported 42 terawatt-hours, valued at 3.5 billion euros.
The electricity trade balance thus showed a negative figure for the first time in several years, the newspaper notes.
Imports covered 11 percent of Germany’s consumption in 2023 and lowered prices, according to the agency, which notes that Germany has sufficient production capacity to meet its needs.
– Electricity was imported because it was cheaper abroad – said a spokesperson for the regulator to Augsburger Allgemeine.
In March of last year, Germany closed its three remaining nuclear power plants, ending a six-decade program. Berlin plans to produce electricity exclusively from renewable sources by 2035, Reuters notes.
