Current Status of Wind Power Expansion in Germany

Thu 16th Jan, 2025

Germany is at a critical juncture in its energy transition, tasked with combating climate change through the advancement of renewable energy sources. A key component of this strategy is the expansion of wind power. This article examines the current state of wind energy development in the country, highlighting the progress made and the challenges that remain.

In 2024, Germany saw the installation of new wind turbines with a cumulative capacity of 3.1 gigawatts (GW), bringing the total onshore wind capacity to approximately 64 GW. However, the government's target to reach 69 GW by the end of the year has been missed, reflecting a trend that has persisted since 2023. Moreover, the country generated around 130 terawatt-hours (TWh) of wind electricity in 2024, which is a decrease of approximately 12 TWh compared to the previous year.

Looking ahead, a significant increase in wind power capacity is necessary. According to forecasts by the think tank Agora Energiewende, Germany needs to add at least 7.5 GW of new wind power capacity annually starting this year. This accelerated rate is essential to meet the ambitious goals outlined in the current Renewable Energy Sources Act, which aims for a total wind capacity of 115 GW by 2030 and 230 GW by 2045.

In terms of regional performance, counties in Schleswig-Holstein and Niedersachsen led the way in 2024, with four counties each making it into the top ten for wind energy capacity expansion. Additionally, one county each from Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen also showed strong performance in meeting expansion targets.

As of 2024, nearly 2,000 wind turbines with a total capacity exceeding 13 GW had received approvals for construction. The leading counties in this regard included five from Nordrhein-Westfalen, three from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and two from Schleswig-Holstein.

Every wind turbine connected to the grid must be registered in the Market Master Data Register maintained by the Federal Network Agency. An analysis by the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) has aggregated data from this register, providing insights into the development of wind power across different years and postal code areas. It is important to note that the entries in the register are submitted by the owners of the power plants, which can lead to potential inaccuracies and errors in the data.

In summary, while Germany has made strides in expanding its wind energy capacity, significant efforts are still required to meet future targets. Collaborative initiatives between government, industry, and local communities will be vital in overcoming the obstacles to a faster wind energy expansion.


More Quick Read Articles »