Finally some good news from the climate front: Germany is making progress in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. According to new projections from the Federal Environment Agency, the climate targets for 2030 are within reach. On a global level, however, it is still too early to sound the all-clear. “This is yet another reason why there is no alternative for Germany but to continue on its chosen path”, says Patrick Lemcke-Braselmann, Co-CEO of aream Group SE. 

According to calculations by the Federal Environment Agency, Germany was able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 3.4 per cent last year. Emissions even fell below the legally permitted level. Since reunification, emissions have now almost halved. And there is more to come: by 2030, emissions are to be reduced by 65 per cent. According to the Federal Environment Agency, this goal appears just about achievable - potentially even slightly more.

“That's good news”, explains Lemcke-Braselmann. ”However, greater efforts are needed, especially against the backdrop of rising emissions worldwide.” Germany will only achieve its targets if climate policy is consistently pursued. ”That's why we need significant additional investment in green energy, grid infrastructure and storage.”

The German photovoltaic systems in the aream portfolio benefited from excellent irradiation values in the past month, which enabled very good yields. The target value was exceeded by twelve per cent. ”Without a curtailment by the regional grid operator, even an additional ten per cent would have been possible”, explains Lemcke-Braselmann. Spain, on the other hand, experienced a rainy March with greatly reduced irradiation. According to Lemcke-Braselmann, this resulted in only modest yield despite  stable system performance. The target achievement was 71 per cent, although the target in terms of irradiation was almost reached. In Italy, too, the sun stayed hidden behind clouds in March and performance remained below average. The plants in the aream portfolio produced 21 per cent below target, while the drop in irradiation was only nine per cent. 

The aream wind turbines in Germany, on the other hand, were in the doldrums. ”March was another month with very little wind”, explains Lemcke-Braselmann. Despite technical stability, yields remained low, with production around 48 per cent below target. The target achievement since the beginning of the year now stands at around 65 per cent.