The provided pie charts illustrate the distribution of electricity production by various fuel sources in Denmark and Germany for the years 1978 and 1998.
A significant shift in fuel sources for electricity generation is evident in both countries over the two decades, characterized by an increase in total production and a notable change in the reliance on specific fuel types.
In Denmark, total electricity production escalated from 90 units in 1978 to 160 units in 1998. Coal emerged as the predominant fuel source, increasing from 53 units to an impressive 122 units, reflecting a substantial rise in dependence on coal. Conversely, oil and natural gas experienced a dramatic decline, with oil dropping to a mere 2 units and natural gas remaining at 2 units by 1998. Hydro power, however, saw a positive increment from 15 units to 34 units, illustrating a growing investment in renewable energy sources despite coal’s dominance.
In Germany, total electricity production remained constant at 160 units in 1998, although the composition of sources underwent significant changes over the period. In 1978, coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power collectively contributed 75 units, while by 1998, nuclear energy emerged as the primary source, skyrocketing from 11 units to 111 units, thereby transforming the energy landscape. Coal and oil retained their roles but were limited to 20 units each, and natural gas experienced a notable decline from 22 units to just 6 units. Hydro power, ranking last, saw its contribution diminish to 3 units, indicating a shift away from diverse fuel sources towards a nuclear-centric model.