Germany was unable to meet its electricity demand solely through active domestic generation between June 22 and 28, 2026. A stable high-pressure system pushed the share of wind power down to 11.2 percent, while solar power provided high output only during the day. Consequently, coal, gas, and imported electricity filled the remaining gap. Net imports reached 0.66 terawatt-hours. There were no power outages, though exchange prices climbed as high as 747 euros per megawatt-hour. At the same time, Germany relied on neighboring countries to provide sufficient surpluses and available transmission capacity.
Wind turbines generate little electricity despite high capacity
The approximately 31,000 onshore wind turbines generated only 8.7 percent of the net public electricity supply during calendar week 26. Offshore installations accounted for a mere 2.5 percent. Yet Germany possesses more than 68 gigawatts of installed onshore wind power capacity. However, a large-scale high-pressure system reduces output at many locations simultaneously.
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While photovoltaics was the single largest source of electricity, accounting for 40.6 percent, its output was concentrated during daylight hours. Solar generation dropped off rapidly in the evening, whereas consumption remained high. Storage systems were unable to bridge this gap over the course of several nights; consequently, coal and gas power plants ramped up their generation.
Electricity imports bolster supply
Net imports of 0.66 terawatt-hours corresponded to an average output of nearly four gigawatts over the week. Imports thus covered approximately 7.6 percent of the public power supply (derived from both domestic generation and imports)—an amount roughly equivalent to the continuous output of several large power plant units. Without these supplies, Germany would have needed to activate additional domestic reserves or make consumption patterns significantly more flexible.
However, the weekly balance provides only an incomplete picture of this dependency. Germany was able to export surplus solar power at midday while importing large quantities just a few hours later. As a result, the share of imports during critical evening hours was at times significantly higher than the weekly average; during these periods, actual German generation was insufficient to fully meet the load.
Low-Cost Purchasing Meets Supply Shortages
The argument regarding low-cost electricity trading explains only why a foreign bid wins the contract; it says nothing about the absolute price level. Since June 18, thirty-nine 15-minute intervals have been recorded with prices exceeding 300 euros per megawatt-hour. The peak reached 747 euros, meaning that imported electricity was by no means cheap during periods of tight supply.
Moreover, this strategy only works as long as neighboring countries have spare power plant capacity. During the heatwave, France and Switzerland throttled output at certain nuclear power plants due to high river temperatures. However, during a Europe-wide lull in renewable generation, multiple nations may require additional supplies simultaneously. Germany then finds itself competing for the same reserves and is forced to accept the resulting market prices. The heatwave-induced lull thus exposed a structural weakness: in actual operation, Germany was unable to meet its demand through domestic generation alone. Consequently, new dispatchable power plants, larger storage facilities, and flexible consumers remain essential.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Energy-Charts (Stand: 11.07.26) – RedaktionsNetzwern Deutschland (11.07.26) – PV-Magazine (01.07.26) – Bundesverband neue Energiewirtschaft (26.07.26)