Half-yearly figures from the German wind industry once again raise the question of how realistic the energy transition plans are. After all, the installed capacity of onshore wind turbines is set to almost double by 2030, while that of turbines in the North Sea and Baltic Sea is set to triple. Both are essential building blocks for the transformation of the energy system. Onshore wind is already the most important source of electricity in Germany, and is set to replace more and more fossil-fuelled power plants in the future. Offshore wind is also considered indispensable for the decarbonisation of the energy system as a near-base load power generator. However, whether the ambitious expansion paths planned under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) can actually be achieved is still completely unclear.

In the first half of the year, for example, there was the bad weather at times that slowed down expansion, as well as a closure of the motorway from Cuxhaven, which is vital for the delivery of wind farm components. Time and again, supply chains or infrastructure – from roads to ships to harbour capacities – do not play along. Or heavy goods transports are checked for too long. Or areas are not designated quickly enough by the federal states. There are many reasons for headwinds in the industry. And that doesn't even include the problem of the lack of grid connections.

It is, therefore, all the more positive that the reduction of bureaucratic obstacles by the German government is now having a positive effect on the approval processes. New approvals for onshore wind turbines in the first half of the year were already a third higher than in the previous year. And they were even higher than the full-year figures for 2021 and 2022. The contracts awarded to companies for the construction of new turbines are also at a record level. That gives hope. On the other hand, not all those responsible in politics are yet entirely on board with the energy transition. The north-south divide in wind farms in Germany is currently changing little.