Over 50 companies have joined a new wind energy initiative in Germany to campaign for increased support for the sector from the federal government.
The industry-wide Wind For Future group has been set up to address the “impending collapse” of German wind power and the “failure of the energy transition”.
Wind For Future has called on federal and state politicians to take “decisive action” to protect the climate, preserve the energy transition and save over 100,000 jobs in the “future-oriented” renewable energy sector in Germany.
The group has been recruiting partners and members to its ranks since March, including wind energy companies, municipalities and associations across Germany. Members include EnBW, PNE, Enertrag, BayWa RE, Enercon, EDF Renewables, Vestas and Trianel.
EnBW spokesman Dirk Gusewell said: “We are very pleased that supporters from the entire wind community have joined our initiative.”
Gusewell added: “Whether environmental associations, project planners, municipalities or suppliers, we are united in the will to make the energy transition a success. We want to work together to ensure that this important future technology and its employees have a future in Germany.
“This is particularly important in these coronavirus times with the enormous burden for Germany as a business location.”
Despite the continued widespread popularity for wind in Germany and ambitious climate policy goals, the industry will shrink in the country if there is no turnaround, said the group.
Wind For Future stated: “The bitter reality is that approval procedure timeframes are delayed. Only 325 new plants were built nationwide in 2019. This is the lowest level in 20 years.”