From the point of view of the industry, the expansion of wind energy is progressing slowly at the start of the year. The status of the new permits is “a sign of inadequacy for the south of Germany,” said the President of the Federal Association of Wind Energy, Hermann Albers, of the German Press Agency.
Since the beginning of January there has not been a single newly approved facility in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony and Saarland. In Hesse there is only one permit. That was “no less than a total failure”. Above all, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony should finally act.
Essential for climate protection
According to the specialist agency for onshore wind energy, 51 new turbines have been approved nationwide since January 6th. Among them were 19 in Saxony-Anhalt, eleven in Schleswig-Holstein, eight in North Rhine-Westphalia, five in Lower Saxony, four in Thuringia, three in Brandenburg and one in Hesse.
More green electricity plays a central role in achieving climate protection goals and becoming less dependent on fossil fuels. After approval, it still takes a while before a wind turbine is erected and connected to the grid.
The federal government had decided on comprehensive measures for faster expansion. This includes a legal obligation to ensure that countries provide more land. The number of wind turbines connected to the grid is expected to increase massively in the coming years.
“Willingly jeopardize industry”
Association President Albers warned: “The federal states must finally act now, otherwise they willingly put their industry at risk.” In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, too, there was still no new approval in 2023. As a coastal country, it faces the historic opportunity to benefit from an upcoming hydrogen boom. “The country should not miss this opportunity.”
There has long been a north-south divide in the expansion of wind power. According to industry figures, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia accounted for 77 percent of the new building last year.
This year, with 12.84 gigawatts, a record volume is going into the tendering rounds for onshore wind energy, the association explained. In order to achieve expansion targets, it is essential that as much of this volume as possible is approved.
