The indicator measures the electricity share of renewable energy generation in gross electricity consumption in order to have a measure for the necessary switch from fossil energy sources to renewable electricity sources. Gross electricity consumption is defined as the total imported and domestically generated electricity minus the exported electricity share. It thus includes net electricity supply, the export-import balance of electricity, power plants' own electricity consumption, and transmission losses, and is thus adjusted for foreign trade linkages.

The German government's goal is to increase the share of electricity from renewable energy sources in gross electricity consumption to at least 35% by 2020 and to 65% by 2030.

For indicators without a set baseline by the German Sustainability Strategy, 2030Watch uses the 2008 baseline of the EU 2020 Strategy.

This is an official indicator of the German Sustainability Strategy.