How much aluminium does the energy transition need?

The energy transition is a key issue in German politics and society. With the aim of increasing the proportion of renewable energies in the electricity mix, we are faced with the challenge of expanding the infrastructure for utilising these energies. A decisive factor here is the demand for aluminium, especially for the expansion of solar energy.

In 2021, 41% of the electricity generated in Germany already came from renewable sources. The German government is aiming for a further increase by 2030 and expects around 600 terawatt hours to be generated from renewable energies. The expansion of solar energy in particular will see the greatest demand for aluminium in the future.

The total capacity for solar installations in Germany currently stands at 55 gigawatt hours. As part of the energy transition, this capacity is to be expanded to 215 gigawatt hours by 2030. This represents an enormous increase and requires correspondingly high quantities of building materials such as aluminium.

In order to guarantee these 215 gigawatt hours of solar power, an additional demand of over 1 million tonnes of aluminium is forecast in this sector alone. This illustrates the enormous importance of this raw material for the energy transition. However, not only solar energy, but also the planned expansion of wind energy is contributing to this demand. An additional demand of around 40,000 tonnes of aluminium is expected for this sector by 2030.

Aluminium is an ideal material for the construction of solar and wind energy systems due to its properties such as light weight, corrosion resistance and high recycling capability. However, despite its advantages, the high demand for aluminium also poses a challenge, particularly in terms of the availability of raw materials and the environmental impact of mining and processing.

It is therefore crucial that policymakers and the industry take action to meet the demand for aluminium in a sustainable way while maintaining environmental and social standards. This can be achieved through increased recycling, the promotion of innovation in aluminium production and a transparent supply chain.

Overall, it is clear that aluminium is an indispensable component of the energy transition and that the responsible use of this raw material is crucial to the success of this transformation.