Germany’s onshore wind sector has recorded its strongest half-year performance since 2017, according to the German Wind Energy Association (BWE).
In the first six months of 2025, 409 onshore wind turbines were commissioned with a total capacity of 2.2GW, up 67% compared with the first half of 2024.
In the same period, 7.8GW of new wind energy projects were approved – more than ever before in a first half of the year, and an increase of 55% compared to 2024.
The figures were provided by the Wind and Solar Agency on behalf of BWE and VDMA Power Systems.
They reveal that the approval period has also been shortened by an average of 18 months, more than 20% compared to 2024.
Despite the positive results, however, the wind energy expansion in Germany is falling short of legally mandated targets.
BWE president Bärbel Heidebroek said: “Wind energy is on track – this is underlined by the strong figures for permits and awards. In the first two tender rounds of the year, projects with a capacity of 7.5GW were awarded. This means that the expansion of the coming years is already at a high level.
“Despite the positive developments, there is a gap between the actual expansion and the targets formulated in the EEG. The EEG expansion targets will not be achievable until 2026 at the earliest.”
VDMA Power Systems managing director Dennis Rendschmidt said: “Despite the dynamic developments in the market, the wind industry is proving its ability to flexibly and efficiently adapt production capacities to increasing demand. The industry is willing and able to deliver.
“However, in order to secure investments in sustainable industrial growth in the long term, a stable and reliable political and economic framework is required. This is the only way to exploit the full potential of wind energy for the energy transition.”