Germany saw a 60% rise in onshore wind power capacity in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year, adding a total of 1,565 megawatts (MW), according to wind industry associations. However, industry lobbies assert that the pace of expansion remains too slow to achieve the country's 2030 target. Germany aims to generate at least 80% of its electricity output from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030, as part of its transition to cleaner energy.
Associations BWE and VDMA Power Systems attribute the increase in capacity to government interventions supporting construction activities and faster permitting processes. While these developments are expected to enable the upper end of the projected 2,700-3,200 MW additions for the full year, industry representatives stress that more progress is required. To meet the government's green energy targets of 115,000 MW of onshore wind capacity by 2030, annual growth rates of 10,000 MW from 2025 onwards would be necessary. Streamlining approval procedures and establishing strict deadlines are among the recommendations put forth to expedite growth.
Despite the positive growth, challenges remain, including extended approval timelines for road transports of wind turbine parts and the need for better cooperation between different ministries and local authorities. Germany's total installed onshore wind capacity reached 59,343 MW by the end of June 2023, representing a net increase of 4.4% compared to the previous year after accounting for dismantling and revamps of existing turbines.
Source: reuters.com