Spring record for approvals

17.04.2025

Source: E & M powernews

In the first quarter of the current year, wind turbines with a total capacity of more than 4,000 MW were approved. More than ever before in one spring.

Strong start to the year for onshore wind power. According to a recent analysis by the German Wind and Solar Agency, more than 4,000 MW of new capacity was approved in the first quarter. The President of the German Wind Energy Association, Bärbel Heidebroek, sees the potential for 2025 to be "a record year for new installations and approvals". It is already the third quarter in a row in which the 4,000 MW mark for new approvals has been exceeded, according to the head of the association.

The BWE points out that the average processing time has fallen again despite the large number of permit applications. On average, it now takes 18.7 months. There was a significant increase in the number of new installations. According to the survey, around 1,000 MW went into operation in the first three months of the year - an increase of 40 percent compared to the same period last year. "We can clearly see the effectiveness of the reforms of recent years here," says Heidebroek.

North Rhine-Westphalia accounts for more than 1,700 newly approved MW. Lower Saxony follows in second place in the federal state comparison with just under 800 MW. The two states are also ahead in terms of new installations, NRW with more than 340 MW, followed by Lower Saxony with 266 MW and Brandenburg with 148 MW.

At the lower end of the nationwide comparison in terms of new approvals - apart from the city states - are Saarland and Saxony with 14 MW each. Saarland (0 MW), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (7 MW), Saxony (8 MW) and Bavaria (14 MW) lagged behind in terms of new installations in the first quarter.

The specialist agency puts the repowering share of newly commissioned capacity at 29%.

Southern states "must finally make their contribution"

In total, there are currently permits for wind turbines with a cumulative capacity of around 28,000 MW, almost 18,800 of which have already been awarded in a tendering round. This means that there is "enough volume available to fill the upcoming tendering rounds this year", the association emphasizes.

Heidebroek: "Onshore wind energy is maintaining the strong momentum of the past year, with all key indicators developing positively. The uneven distribution of new approvals and expansion remains the fly in the ointment of a strong balance sheet. The countries in the southern region must finally make their contribution."

According to the new data, the total nationwide stock of wind turbines now has a cumulative capacity of 64,325 MW.

The analysis of the expansion and approval figures is available free of charge on the website of the German Wind and Solar Association.

Author: Manfred Fischer