Germany’s Progress in Onshore Wind Farms Falls Short of Targets

Germany’s onshore wind farm construction has shown improved progress compared to previous years, with 331 wind turbines, totaling 1.565 gigawatts, erected in the first half of this year alone. This marked a 65 percent increase over the previous year, providing hope for the country’s transition to renewable energy. However, new figures released by the German Wind Energy Association (BWE) and VDMA Power Systems have revealed that the current pace is not enough to meet medium-term targets.

The red-green-yellow coalition in the federal government and several state governments have been committed to accelerating the designation, approval, and planning procedures for wind farms. Unfortunately, despite multiple changes in the law, these processes are taking longer than ever before, raising concerns among policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz had promised the construction of four to five wind turbines per day; however, the reality paints a different picture, with only one to two turbines currently being erected on average. VDMA Managing Director Dennis Rendschmidt expressed concern over the lack of progress, stating, “With this, we can already see that we are not moving in the right dynamic.”

While the associations expect the annual gross addition of onshore wind capacity to reach 2.7 to 3.2 gigawatts (GW) by the end of 2023, the data on land provision, tenders, approvals, and actual construction projects indicate that the ambitious future targets cannot be met. According to the Renewable Energy Sources Act, Germany aims to add at least 69 GW of installed capacity by 2024 and a staggering 115 GW by 2030. However, the current installed capacity stands at only 59 GW, signaling a significant gap between reality and objectives.

To achieve the 2030 target, at least twelve GW of new capacity would need to be approved each year, which is significantly higher than the current rate. Failure to meet these goals could have far-reaching consequences, affecting other green energy initiatives like heat pumps, electric cars, and hydrogen usage.

While the associations praised the government’s efforts in initiating an expansion offensive, they emphasized the need for more consistent application and a concerted effort from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transport, state ministries, and local authorities. Regions like Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia have shown leadership in wind energy development, but challenges persist in southern Germany.

One major issue identified by Rendschmidt is the lack of available land for wind farms, despite the new target of 2 percent per federal state. Additionally, planning and approval procedures have become increasingly lengthy, with an average duration of 24.5 months, a record high.

To expedite the process, industry experts recommend implementing measures similar to those in the Netherlands, where wind-heavy transport approvals take only four to five days, as opposed to Germany’s twelve weeks. Streamlining the process could significantly reduce delays, leading to faster wind farm installations.

Stakeholders are also urged to explore the potential of repowering existing sites, where 13,600 more powerful wind turbines with 18 GW could be installed by 2028. This approach could provide a viable solution to boost capacity without the need for entirely new wind farms.

While the challenges are substantial, the associations remain optimistic that Germany’s onshore wind energy ambitions can be realized with greater efficiency in planning and approval processes. However, swift action and collaboration are essential to bridge the gap between current progress and future targets. The nation’s commitment to renewable energy is crucial for climate goals and supporting other clean energy initiatives in the years ahead.

Germany’s progress in onshore wind farms has seen some improvements, but it falls short of the medium-term targets set by the government. Policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local authorities must work together to address the challenges and ensure that Germany remains on track for a sustainable energy future.