Germany Leads EU in Wind Energy Expansion: Record Installations of Wind Turbines

Germany continues to set the pace in the expansion of wind energy, having installed more new wind turbines in the past year than any other country in the European Union. According to the latest data from WindEurope, the nation added over 4 gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity, surpassing the United Kingdom, which installed approximately 1.9 GW, and France and Finland, which added around 1.7 GW and 1.4 GW, respectively.

Despite Germany's remarkable achievement, overall growth in wind energy installations across Europe fell short of expectations. In total, the EU saw the installation of about 13 GW of new wind capacity last year, a figure that has been described as disappointing by industry representatives. Pierre Tardieu from WindEurope indicated that various obstacles have hindered progress, including network bottlenecks, persistent permitting issues in multiple countries, and challenging financial conditions.

The expansion of offshore wind energy has also faced setbacks due to limitations in port capacity and the availability of specialized vessels required for installation. Nevertheless, the total installed wind capacity across Europe reached 285 GW, with projections suggesting that the region will need to install 30 GW annually to meet its energy goals by 2030.

Looking ahead, WindEurope anticipates a total of 186 GW of new wind energy capacity to be installed in Europe between 2025 and 2030. By that time, the EU aims for renewable energy sources, particularly wind power, to account for 42.5% of its overall energy consumption.

Germany's success in wind energy has been attributed to improved regulatory conditions, with the country achieving a national record for permits related to 14 GW of wind energy. This progress positions Germany as a model for other EU nations, which are encouraged to adopt new EU permitting regulations into their national laws.

Industry experts express optimism that the new German government will continue to support the growth of wind energy, fostering a sustainable future for the sector.