Wind Energy Day: Streamlined Permits for Wind Turbines in the North
Decreased Approval of Wind Turbine Installations in the Northern Region - Limitations on wind turbine permits in the northern region established
Here's a lowdown on the recent changes in wind energy permits in the North, a tale rubbed with the northernmost federal state's green brush.
In 2024, the permits for wind turbines in Schleswig-Holstein saw a dip, with only 204 new installations approved, compared to 241 in 2023. The Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment announced these figures at the Wind Energy Day in Husum, revealing that the total capacity of the approved installations in 2024 was 1.1 gigawatts.
Despite the decrease in permits, Schleswig-Holstein holds one of the fastest permit procedures in the country. While the national average duration of procedures stands at 23 months, permits in the North are issued in a brisk 18 months. This speedy process is a significant factor contributing to the robust expansion of wind power in Schleswig-Holstein, said Energy Transition State Secretary Joschka Knuth (Greens) during the presentation of the figures. In 2024, the state generated a whopping 27.3 terawatt hours of green electricity.
Currently, there are 348 wind turbines with approximately 2 gigawatts of capacity in the permitting process in Schleswig-Holstein. Additionally, 489 additional installations have been approved and are currently being built or are in line for commissioning. The ministry anticipates that the northernmost federal state will hit its target of 45 terawatt hours of land-based power generation by 2030.
"Now it's crucial to collaborate with the new federal government to establish reliable framework conditions for the ongoing success of the energy transition," said Knuth. He underlined the need for the federal government to maintain its course and avoid backward-looking decisions. Knuth raised concerns about the introduction of temporary grid congestion areas that could obstruct the expansion of renewables. Instead, there should be a swift pace in grid expansion and local price signals, and the Renewable Energy Act must be future-proof, he emphasized.
According to Knuth, the industry requires early planning certainty to continue investing in the wind energy sector, which is the backbone of Germany's power supply. Baërbel Heidebroek, the President of the Federal Association of Wind Energy, concurred. She expressed the industry's readiness to collaborate with the new federal government to ensure that expansion proceeds briskly, as wind energy guarantees an independent and cost-effective energy supply.
A quick glance at the stats reveals that approximately 40% of Germany's wind power capacity originates from the northern federal states. Despite this, the industry grapples with overloaded permit authorities, bureaucracy, and inadequate grid capacities in many states.
wind turbinepermitSchleswig-HolsteinBMUHusumgigawattfederal governmentenergy transitionelectricity
Insights:
The reduction in wind turbine permits in Schleswig-Holstein could be due to various factors, such as regulatory complexities or local opposition. A clearer policy framework, streamlined permit processes, and increased public support could help encourage more wind energy development. Moreover, repowering projects, business and public support, and government initiatives are all key elements of future wind energy expansion plans in Germany. Overloading of permit authorities, bureaucratic hurdles, and grid capacity limitations are common challenges faced by the industry in many states.
- The rapid permit process in Schleswig-Holstein, a significant factor in the growth of wind power, could also be beneficial for the development of the regions, aiding in regional development.
- In order to maintain the momentum of the energy transition, it is important for the federal government to collaborate with industry leaders such as the Federal Association of Wind Energy, prioritizing streamlined permit processes and grid expansion.
- As wind energy plays a crucial role in the country's power supply, investments in the wind energy sector should be encouraged through clear policy frameworks and public support, with a focus on streamlining permits for wind turbines to ensure environmental-science, industry, and finance sustainability.
