Germany will tender an additional 12GW of onshore wind under its Climate Action Programme 2026.
The federal government said the phased tenders correspond to around 2000 wind turbines and electricity production equivalent to 15-20 gas-fired power plants.
It added that the additional wind capacity will help reduce natural gas and coal consumption by 2030 while avoiding 6.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The government said the measure could save around €1 billion annually on natural gas imports based on last year’s average wholesale price.
It noted that 12GW of additional onshore wind by 2030 is expected to lower wholesale electricity prices by 0.6 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The programme contains 67 measures aimed at saving more than 25 million tonnes of CO2 in 2030 and reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.
Federal environment minister Carsten Schneider said: “This program will give a new boost to climate protection, making us less dependent on expensive and uncertain oil and gas imports.
“We are modernising the economy, making society more resilient to crises, and helping nature to help us.”
The government said a total of €8 billion will be made available over the next four years to support the measures.
It added that Germany aims to reach 115GW of installed onshore wind capacity by 2030.