NRW Approaches Record in Wind Energy Expansion

The growth of wind energy in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has gained significant momentum, with the state achieving impressive milestones in the first half of 2025. A total of 101 new wind turbines, generating 525 megawatts of power, were successfully connected to the grid, according to preliminary data from the Renewable Energy Association of North Rhine-Westphalia (LEE NRW).

This achievement places NRW at the forefront of wind energy expansion in Germany, surpassing other states such as Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein in 2025. The association's managing director, Christian Vossler, anticipates that NRW will surpass its previous record of 881 megawatts of gross capacity set in 2017 by the end of the year. This would mark the first time in eight years that the state reaches a new peak in wind energy development.

Despite the addition of new turbines, the net increase in capacity was slightly lower, totaling 479 megawatts due to the dismantling of some older facilities. The largest gains came from the district of Steinfurt, which added 92 megawatts, followed by Paderborn with 58 megawatts, and Recklinghausen with 38.6 megawatts.

In the first six months of the year, NRW approved 468 new wind energy installations with a combined capacity of approximately 2,822 megawatts. This represents about 35% of all wind energy approvals in Germany during this period. Vossler expressed confidence that the state government, led by a coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Green Party, would meet its goal of adding at least 1,000 new wind turbines to the grid by May 2027.

However, the industry is pushing for even faster progress. Increasing delays in securing grid connections have become a growing concern for potential operators and investors. Additionally, issues related to the transportation of turbine components via highways and local roads have been flagged as problematic.

As NRW continues to lead the charge in wind energy expansion, the focus remains on maintaining this upward trajectory and addressing logistical challenges to ensure the state can meet its renewable energy targets effectively.