The renewable share in Germany's overall energy use rose to 3.6 from 3.1 percent, the ministry said.

"This development is again mainly a result of the significant growth in wind power," it said.

Germany promotes renewable energy sources through a law which guarantees above-market rates for green power fed into the electricity network.

Wind power contributed 44 percent of electricity produced by green power plants, for the first time exceeding a broadly steady hydro power share of 38 percent, the ministry said.

"Ten years ago, nobody was able to imagine that wind energy (plants) would produce more electricity than hydro power (plants)," BWE wind energy association head, Peter Ahmels said.

"In 2020, wind energy will cover 20 percent of German power use and will be cheaper than power produced from conventional energy sources," he said in statement.

The rise in green energy production helped to save around 70 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions last year. This was 10 million more than in 2003, the BWE statement said in the light of last week's launch of the Kyoto Protocol.

The ministry said Germany installed more solar power plants last year than any other country worldwide, triggering a 300 megawatt (MW) increase in installed capacity to 700 MW.