Wind Energy's Land-based Operations: Exceptional Q1 Performance in 2025

The German Wind Energy Association states that the year kicks off with high momentum as all key indicators are on the upswing. For the sustainability of this level, the goals and framework conditions need to maintain consistency.

Bärbel Heidebroek, the Association's president, states, “The first quarter approved record-breaking new capacity of over 4,000 megawatts (MW). This marks the third consecutive quarter where the threshold of 4,000 MW for new approvals has been exceeded. Hence, the first quarter of 2025 has outpaced the entire years of 2015 and from 2017 to 2022." Despite the vast number of permit requests, the average processing time has decreased to around 18.7 months, and new constructions are noticeably increasing. With close to 1,000 MW of new installations, the Spring period records about 40% higher than the same period last year. Heidebroek adds, “The effectiveness of the reforms over the past years is clearly seen here. It's now even more critical to adhere to the established goals and framework conditions.”

A Look at The Distribution of Land Wind Energy Across Federal States

In terms of regional allocation of new approved capacity, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) leads. Over 1,700 MW were approved in the first three months of the current year. This accounts nationally for more than 40% capacity of the newly authorized. Concurrently, the average approval duration in NRW has decreased and currently stands at approximately 16 months. Lower Saxony comes second with almost 800 MW.

At present, permits are pending for wind power plants with a combined capacity of about 28,000 MW. Approximately 18,800 MW of this have already been allocated in a bidding round. Hence, there is enough volume available to fill upcoming bidding rounds this year.

A total of 995 MW new installations reached about one-third of the entire previous year's capacity within only three months. In the same domain, NRW leads with more than 340 MW. Second place goes to Lower Saxony with 266 MW, followed by Brandenburg with 148 MW. The realization duration slightly increases, standing at 27.6 months on a federal average. The share of repowering in the newly commissioned capacity in spring 2025 is 29%. As a result, the national total inventory of wind power plants after Q1 has increased to 28,830 with a cumulative capacity of 64,325 MW.

The Wind Energy Industry - An Analysis by BWE's President

Heidebroek adds, "The onshore wind energy continues its high dynamics from the previous year, with all-important indicators trending positively. The uneven distribution of new approvals and new installations remains a small downside in an otherwise strong balance sheet. The regions of the south have to contribute at last.” In light of the positive developments in wind energy, the German Wind Energy Association calls on the incoming federal government to sustain the expansion by implementing RED III. The aim is to accelerate network expansion and create flexibility. The debate over targets and expansion rates is not productive and creates uncertainty. The industry needs planning certainty, and the German economy requires CO2-neutral and affordable wind energy. “2025, with its impressive first quarter, shows potential to be a record-breaking year for new constructions and approvals", Heidebroek concludes.