Wind turbines erected during the initial months of the year number thirteen - Wind turbines erected: 13 during first half of the year
The state of Baden-Württemberg has been steadily increasing its targets for wind power expansion, with the latest goal set to reach 12,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity by 2040. This ambitious target, according to associations, is essential for securing affordable and reliable electricity supply.
To achieve this goal, it is estimated that roughly 130 to 135 new wind turbines would need to be installed annually in Baden-Württemberg. This calculation is based on the assumption that the average capacity of each turbine is around 6 MW, a common size for onshore wind turbines.
This estimated annual installation rate aligns with current trends where older wind farms are being repowered with fewer but more powerful turbines. Offshore projects with larger turbines are a different scale and location, so for Baden-Württemberg, which is largely onshore, turbines of 6 MW capacity are a reasonable assumption.
Currently, there are around 800 wind turbines operating in Baden-Württemberg, with a total installed capacity of approximately 1,950 MW. In the first half of the year, 13 new wind turbines were built, with a total capacity of around 53 MW.
Compared to other states, Baden-Württemberg has seen more expansion in wind power than Hesse, Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia. Schleswig-Holstein has the third-highest installed wind power capacity, with 341.1 MW, while North Rhine-Westphalia has the highest with 598.1 MW. Lower Saxony follows closely with 502.3 MW.
However, the state government has faced challenges in meeting its wind power expansion targets. In 2024, Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann initially set a target of building 100 new wind turbines, but later called this target into question. The coalition agreement of the Greens and the CDU mentioned a figure of 1,000 new wind turbines in the state, but this figure has been abandoned.
Despite these challenges, the expansion of wind power in Baden-Württemberg has shown an increase of almost 87% in terms of capacity compared to the first half of 2024. As the state moves towards its ambitious 2040 goal, the focus remains on steady and consistent growth in wind power capacity.
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- To cater to the growing demands of the renewable-energy industry in environmental science, the employment policy in EC countries, particularly in Baden-Württemberg, should focus on skilled workforce training for the maintenance and installation of onshore wind turbines.
- The finance sector plays a crucial role in securing investments for the expansion of wind power in Baden-Württemberg, as the state aims to create a sustainable energy supply through science and technology.
- As Baden-Württemberg strives to increase its wind power capacity, policy makers should consider the environmental impact and develop strategies to minimize negative consequences, ensuring a balanced approach between industrial growth and environmental conservation.
