Wind Power Surges in Germany: Ambitious Targets and Ongoing Challenges

Germany, a leader in the European energy transition, is seeing a significant surge in wind energy projects, both onshore and offshore. This expansion is driven by ambitious national goals for renewable energy and a desire to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, several challenges remain, such as permitting hurdles and grid limitations.

Onshore Wind Rebounds:

• After a period of stagnation, onshore wind installations are picking up pace again. 1.6 GW of new capacity was added in the first half of 2023, and additional tenders promise further growth.




• The government aims to install 10 GW of onshore wind annually from 2025 onwards, aiming for a total capacity of 115 GW by 2030.

Offshore Wind Pushes Boundaries:

• Germany boasts a rapidly growing offshore wind sector, currently holding second place globally in installed capacity.




• Ambitious expansion plans target 30 GW by 2030 and 70 GW by 2045, driven by recent tenders awarding nearly 1 GW of new capacity.




• Projects like Borkum Riffgrund 3 (900 MW) and Kaskasi (342 MW) showcase the sector’s potential to power hundreds of thousands of households.

Challenges on the Horizon:

• Streamlining permitting processes remains crucial for meeting ambitious targets. Complex procedures and local opposition can significantly delay project development.




• Upgrading and expanding the electricity grid is essential to efficiently integrate the increasing wind power generation into the national network.




• Social acceptance and community engagement are key to overcoming local resistance and fostering broader support for wind energy projects.

Wind Energy Statistics in Germany (as of 2023)

Installed Capacity:

• Total: 76,985 MW (61,010 MW onshore, 15,975 MW offshore)
• Rank globally: 4th (onshore), 2nd (offshore)
• Share of German electricity production: 32% (net)

Growth:

• New onshore installations in 2023: 745 turbines (3,567 MW)
• New offshore installations in 2023: 300 MW
• Government target for annual onshore installations: 10 GW by 2025, 15 GW by 2030
• Target for total offshore capacity by 2030: 30 GW
• Target for total offshore capacity by 2045: 70 GW

Economic Impact:

• Jobs in the wind industry: 160,200 (2016 data)
• Revenue generated by the wind industry: €12.4 billion (2020 data)

Top Largest Wind Farms in Germany (as of February 20, 2024)

Category	Wind Farm Name	Location	Capacity (MW)	Number of Turbines	Type
Offshore	EnBW Hohe See	North Sea	497	87	Fixed-bottom
Offshore	Borkum Riffgrund 2	North Sea	465	98	Fixed-bottom
Offshore	Merkur Offshore	North Sea	399	66	Fixed-bottom
Offshore	Meerwind Süd/Ostsee	Baltic Sea	332	80	Fixed-bottom
Offshore	Baltic 2	Baltic Sea	288	80	Fixed-bottom
Onshore	Reussenköge Wind Farm	Schleswig-Holstein	255	71	Multi-brand
Onshore	Pomerania II Wind Farm	Mecklenburg-Vorpommern	243	51	Multi-brand
Onshore	Mark 50 (Markdorf)	Baden-Württemberg	217	46	Multi-brand
Onshore	Windpark Putenwind	Brandenburg	209	41	Multi-brand
Onshore	Windpark Norderwalsede	Lower Saxony	204	51	Multi-brand

Additional Notes:

• This list includes both operational and under-construction wind farms.




• “Multi-brand” indicates that the wind farm uses turbines from various manufacturers.




• This list only includes wind farms with a capacity of 200 MW or above.




• Data may vary slightly depending on the source.

Looking Ahead:

Despite the challenges, Germany’s commitment to wind energy expansion is clear. With continued efforts to address permitting hurdles, grid limitations, and public concerns, the country is poised to become a global leader in harnessing the power of wind for a sustainable future.