German wind power capacity reaches 58.1GW

2022-12-02

2.4GW of new wind power capacity was added to Germany's energy grid in 2022, according to figures from Deutsche WindGuard commissioned by the BWE and VDMA Power Systems. Net additions last year amounted to 2.1GW, raising the cumulative onshore wind capacity to 58.1GW. The sector is expecting between 2.7 and 3.2GW in 2023, although this could be increased with accelerated deployment initiatives. Climate Minister Robert Habeck has been pushing forward a number of laws and regulations intended to speed up growth but further measures are necessary, say industry representatives who caution that targets won't be reached without approved projects actually being put into motion. President of the BWE Hermann Albers attributed the "sobering" figures to mistakes in energy policy during the past government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, and urged the current Social Democrat-Green-Liberal coalition of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to take further steps to reach ambitious targets.


Albers highlighted a record 12.8GW slated for tenders this year, but argued that German states must take advantage of the available opportunities to increase deployment - with particular emphasis on Bavaria which has been stalling federal regulation set aside for wind power development. He also emphasized easing rules for repowering projects as a viable route open to boosting capacity; last year saw 423MW added through such initiatives against many gigawatts potentially achievable.
With timely action from both governments and industry, the sector could reach its energy targets and further contribute to German green energy goals.