German onshore wind recovers as permits and tendering hit record
Permits last year reach 14GW and 11GW were tendered off as wind groups call for next government after February elections to keep up reform path
Germany’s onshore wind sector is recovering as permits for new wind farms and the volume of new capacity allocated in tenders have hit record highs, although new installations still stalled.
A total of 14.06GW across 2,405 wind turbines gained a permit last year, while almost 11GW were tendered off, figures by the Specialist Wind and Solar Agency showed that were compiled on behalf of manufacturers group VDMA Power System and wind energy federation BWE.
“The significant increase in the number of permits and awards shows the recovery of the German market and signals a new dynamic for the industry,” VDMA Power Systems managing director Dennis Rendschmidt said, calling upon the next government after 23 February elections to maintain this dynamic in order to create jobs and cut electricity costs.
But “despite this positive development, there is still a lot of catching up to do to reduce the gap between the actual expansion and the political expansion goals,” he added.
“Only with a determined reduction of hurdles can permits and awards be quickly transferred into implemented projects. For example, requirements for large-volume and heavy-duty transport must be standardised, the transport infrastructure modernised and grid connections accelerated."
BWE president Bärbel Heidebroek added that the record in awards and permits showed that reforms of the past years have been effective but warned of diminishing efforts for further improvement now.
Heidebroek said existing capacities must be used more efficiently and intelligently.
“The possibility of simultaneously connecting wind energy, photovoltaics and storage to individual grid connection points must now come as quickly as possible.
“The goal is a flexible, efficient and smart grid. A grid expansion offensive and the upgrading of the entire infrastructure are needed to enable the expansion and connection of these record volumes."
The wind groups expect wind additions this year to grow to 4.8-5.3GW.
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