Germany has imported more electricity than ever before, official data showed, reigniting debate around the country's energy policies.

Power imports rose as domestic output fell around 10% from the previous year, making the country a net importer of electricity for the first time since 2002.

"We generally export in winter when prices are higher and demand greater, and import in summer when prices are lower in Europe and demand weaker," explained Bruno Burger, a power market expert at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.

Most imports came from neighbors like Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

However, imports accounted for a tiny part of total consumption, just 8.6 TWh in 2023, while domestic renewable generation reached 261 TWh.

Nuclear generation from units that disconnected the grid on April 15, 2023, produced less than 7 TWh of power last year, accounting for 6% of its total demand. Critics said nuclear power also indirectly feeds the national grid via European interconnectors, which made the exit uncessary.

Solar output was flat from the previous record year as expanded capacity offset less sunshine, while wind power was up but expected to fall back in 2024, according to Fraunhofer forecasts.

The data re-ignited debate around Germany's energy policies but experts cautioned that power imports were a small supplement and not directly linked to the nuclear phase-out. Policymakers still face issues of how to balance energy security, costs and sustainability goals.

(Writing by Alex Guo  Editing by Harry Huo)
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