Operational wind turbine count has increased substantially - A substantial increase in the activation of wind turbines reported
Berlin, July 1st – Germany has seen a significant surge in the installation of wind turbines, with an impressive 409 new turbines coming into operation in the first half of 2025. This marks a substantial year-on-year increase, with a 67% rise compared to the same period in 2024.
The new wind turbines, which deliver around 2.2 gigawatts (GW) of additional wind energy capacity, are primarily concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. This expansion is expected to continue in Bavaria during the latter half of 2025, following a legislative change.
The impact on electricity generation is considerable. The new capacity significantly contributes to Germany’s renewable energy supply, with wind power becoming a major component in the country’s electricity mix. With projects delivering 2.2 GW in just six months, this progress supports Germany’s ambitious goal of reaching approximately 100-110 GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030. The country is averaging expected annual additions of about 8 GW between 2025 and 2030 to meet these targets.
Companies like Qualitas Energy are playing a key role in this expansion, with permits secured for 43 turbines totaling 275 MW and applications submitted for an additional 156 turbines with over 1 GW of capacity. This robust pipeline is expected to supply clean wind power to over two million households, underlining its positive impact on Germany’s energy transition and emission reduction goals.
The total number of wind turbines in Germany has grown by 199 to around 29,000, with a total capacity of 65.3 GW. However, grid expansion is crucial for better integration of wind turbines into the power grid to avoid possible overloads and subsequent shutdowns.
The wind energy industry faces challenges in terms of grid expansion and financing conditions, but the current German government, comprising the SPD, Greens, and FDP, has implemented numerous measures to accelerate the expansion of onshore wind turbines. Despite these challenges, the expansion of wind power in Germany is gaining momentum, with a record number of newly approved wind turbines and an increase in the total number of wind turbines in operation.
However, the demand for electricity is expected to rise due to hydrogen, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and the increasing electrification of industry. Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) has announced a "reality check" of the energy transition, citing high costs. The wind energy industry, represented by figures like Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems, and Barbel Heidebroek, President of the Federal Association of Wind Energy, have called for a more reliable roadmap and reliable financing conditions to ensure the continued growth of the sector.
In light of the substantial growth in wind energy generation in Germany, EC countries might consider implementing similar employment policies to foster technological developments and environmental-science initiatives within their own renewable energy sectors. The booming wind energy industry in Germany, with companies like Qualitas Energy playing key roles, offers potential for employment opportunities, contributing to the employment policy agenda across EC countries.