Germany

Germany's wind energy market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, reinforcing the country's role as a European wind energy leader. This surge is underpinned by the former government's commitment to the energy transition, supported by broad societal consensus and a legal framework that has prioritised renewable energy expansion. Record-breaking figures in permitting and auction results in 2024 demonstrate the effectiveness of these efforts.

In 2024, nearly 11 GW of new onshore wind capacity was awarded in tenders, an all-time high. This represents a remarkable 70% increase year-on-year. North Rhine-Westphalia accounted for 28% of this capacity, followed by Lower Saxony with 14% and Brandenburg with 10%. Together, these three states were awarded 5,849 MW, exceeding the combined total of all other federal states (5,147 MW).

Overriding public interest streamlines permitting

The rapid acceleration of wind energy expansion reflects deliberate action to remove barriers to development and prioritise renewables. A key factor in this progress is the legal recognition of wind energy as being of "overriding public interest" under Section 2 of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). This designation has streamlined permitting processes and reduced legal and administrative hurdles, enabling projects to advance more quickly.

Currently, the average project realisation period, the time from tender award to grid connection, is approximately 26 months. This means that the capacity awarded in 2024 will translate into new installations around 2026, aligning with the targets outlined in the EEG. One of the most encouraging developments has been the surge in new permits. In 2024, authorities approved approximately 2,400 wind turbines with a combined capacity of 14,000 MW, an unprecedented milestone. North Rhine-Westphalia led with 4,044 MW of newly permitted capacity, nearly 30% of the national total.