Industry leaders are urging Germany’s next federal government to back the expansion of wind energy.
At a press conference today, BWE and IG Metall, together with representatives of the Nordex Group and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, called for the incoming government to continue with the expansion of wind energy in the next legislative period.
They want the next government to develop a sustainable growth strategy with the participation of associations, industry and trade unions.
BWE president Bärbel Heidebroek said: “After several years of decline, 2024 was a record year for wind energy thanks to numerous reforms by the outgoing federal government.
“To ensure that this momentum continues and that the expansion targets of the EEG are not only within reach, but are achieved, the incoming federal government will have a number of tasks ahead of it – from a smooth reform of the electricity market and the implementation of a flexibility strategy within the first 100 days to measures to strengthen cybersecurity.
“The industry is ready to make its contribution.”
IG Metall shipbuilding and wind energy manager Heiko Messerschmidt said the future government “must stay the course” and “must not jeopardise” the expansion of onshore and offshore wind.
“Ambitious and reliable framework conditions are still needed to secure industrial production and jobs in Germany and Europe in the long term,” Messerschmidt added.
“Some statements in the election campaign give rise to fears of the opposite and awaken memories of political mistakes made by previous governments that were not good for the industry.”
Vice-president of the Nordex Group’s central region Karsten Brüggemann said the German market had always played “a very important role” for the group as a plant manufacturer.
“Planning security is crucial for us,” he added. “The basis for this is formed by clear and reliable framework conditions.
“A dynamic market such as the expansion of wind energy in Germany, which has now begun again, is important for this.”
Horst Hakelberg, chairman of the General Works Council, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, also urged the new government to support the growth of wind energy.
He said: “An important keyword for the further debate on wind power is resilience.
“Germany and Europe must become independent in terms of energy supply.
“In times of growing geopolitical tensions, the expansion of strategically important industrial capacities in wind power is indispensable.
“We therefore expect the new German government to swiftly implement the European Net Zero Industry Act to protect domestic jobs and value creation.”