Power generation

With the Hessian Energy Act of November 29, 2022, the government of the federal state of Hesse has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2045. By then, 100 percent of energy consumption for electricity and heat is to be covered by renewable energy sources. The Regional Authority FrankfurtRhineMain has committed itself to the climate protection goals of the state of Hesse through its active participation in the Hessian Climate Communities.

Local renewable energy share at 4 percent

In 2019, about 4 percent of the region's electricity consumption was covered by renewable energy. This means that of the 18,900 Gigawatt hours required, only about 764 Gigawatt hours came from regional, renewable energy sources. The rest of the electricity demand was met by local, fossil fuel sources or imported electricity.

Only a few member municipalities have sufficient local capacity to meet their electricity needs from renewable sources. This includes the municipality of Weilrod with its solar and wind power plants. In Weilrod, more electricity is actually generated from renewable energies than is consumed. The municipality of Flörsheim am Main can also cover a very high proportion with renewable energies such as biogas and photovoltaics, as can Schöneck, additionally with wind energy.

Electricity generation from renewable energies - Biomass and photovoltaic are the most important energy sources

Local electricity generation from renewable energy sources accounted for 764 Gigawatt hours or just over 4 percent of the region's electricity consumption in 2019. Electricity generation from biogas, including sewage and landfill gas, accounted for the largest share at 41 percent, and photovoltaics, including estimated self-consumption, accounted for 42 percent. Wind power generated 14 percent and hydropower just under 4 percent.

Electricity: Development of installed capacity of renewable energies (2015 to 2019)

For electricity, installed capacity increased by 19 percent between 2015 - 2019, from 426 to 505 Megawatts. The most significant increase of around 28 percent was in the photovoltaic sector.

Federal electricity mix: almost 40 percent from renewable energies

In the area of electricity generation, the federal electricity mix also plays an important role. In 2019, almost 40 percent of this mix was made up of renewable energies. The 40 percent is made up of wind, water, biogas and photovoltaics. Among fossil fuels, coal had the largest share at 28 percent. Nuclear energy accounted for 12 percent.

Heat generation almost entirely from fossil fuels

Heat consumption in the region was 27,477 Gigawatt hours in 2019. Of this, only slightly more than 1 percent was generated by local renewable energy plants. The remaining 99 percent was met by fossil energy plants and by fossil domestic fuel. Fossil domestic fuel is heat generated by burning energy sources such as gas and oil in building heating systems. Heat is usually generated on site, because if there is a long distance between generation and consumption, losses are very high and little heat reaches the consumer.

Heat generation from renewable energies - biogas plays the main role

Like electricity generation from renewable sources, heat generation from renewable sources also increased from 2015 to 2019. Compared to 2015, local installed capacity increased by around 12 percent by 2019. The increase was greatest for biomass use, at around 19 percent or 11 MW.

Heat: Development of installed capacity of renewable energies (2015 to 2019)

Like electricity generation from renewable sources, heat generation from renewable sources also increased from 2015 to 2019. Compared to 2015, local installed capacity increased by around 12 percent by 2019. The increase was greatest for biomass use, at around 19 percent or 11 MW.