Germany's onshore wind capacity saw a significant boost in the first half of 2023, surging by 60% compared to the previous year, with an impressive addition of 1,565 megawatts (MW). While this is a positive development, industry experts stress that the country still has a long way to go to achieve its 2030 green energy target.
As part of its ambitious plan to transition to renewable energy, Germany aims to generate at least 80% of its electricity output from sources like wind and solar by 2030, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and bolster energy independence. The country faced a stark reminder of the risks associated with fossil fuel reliance when Russian exports dropped last year.
Wind industry associations, BWE and VDMA Power Systems engineering group, which represent major turbine manufacturers including Nordex, Vestas Deutschland, and GE Deutschland, provided statistics highlighting the substantial progress made in 2023 compared to the first half of 2022. The 1,565 MW addition was attributed to government interventions favoring construction activities and faster permit processing.
BWE's president, Baerbel Heidebroek, expressed optimism that the full-year projection of 2,700-3,200 MW would likely be achieved this year if current trends persist. However, even with this progress, the goal of reaching growth rates of 10,000 MW annually by 2025 seems challenging. To achieve the government's target of 115,000 MW of onshore wind capacity by 2030, streamlined approval procedures and stricter deadlines are essential, according to Heidebroek.
Dennis Rendschmidt, VDMA Power Systems' managing director, pointed out the delays in approvals for transporting heavy wind turbine parts, which take an average of 12 weeks in Germany compared to just four to five days in the Netherlands. Better cooperation between ministries, local authorities, and state officials is crucial to address these bottlenecks.
As of June 2023, Germany's total installed onshore wind capacity had reached 59,343 MW, reflecting a net increase of 4.4% from the previous year, considering dismantling and upgrades of existing turbines. While the progress is commendable, continued efforts and decisive action are required to accelerate the country's renewable energy journey and meet its green energy targets for a sustainable future.
