Scholz: Germany to install four to five onshore wind turbines every day

Germany will use the momentum gained over the past months to make real progress in the deployment of wind and solar power and become less dependent on fossil fuels, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. “By 2030, there will be an average of four to five onshore wind turbines every day,” he claimed.

Europe’s largest economy is making giant leaps in fulfilling its energy transition and climate goals, but the pace of wind and solar power deployment is still insufficient. Asked about last year’s relatively weak additions in the wind sector, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the Bild in an interview that his cabinet is addressing the issue with “military precision.”

An onshore wind law that was adopted last year has just come into force. Scholz said the cabinet is preparing a timetable with deadlines for installing new capacity so that the 2030 goals can be achieved. “By 2030, there will be an average of four to five onshore wind turbines every day,” he claimed.

Onshore wind capacity must be doubled by 2030

The target for the segment is 115 GW, compared to the current 58 GW in total onshore installations. Germany added just 2.4 GW on land last year, however the level was 25% higher than in 2021. New regulations stipulate that an overall 2% of land has to be designated for wind parks by 2032.

Meetings will be held every month with officials from all 16 federal states

Scholz vowed to use the momentum that was gained over the past months to make real progress in wind and solar power deployment and lower the dependence on fossil gas, oil and coal. He said meetings would be held every month with top officials from all 16 federal states so that expansion rates can be evaluated and improved.

Germany remains EU’s top solar power market

According to the German Solar Association – BSW-Solar, solar power capacity increased by 28% or by 7.2 GW in 2022, bringing the total to 66.5 GW. The 2030 target is 215 GW. Photovoltaics had a 12% share in electricity production.

Solar power capacity must be more than tripled by the end of the decade

In a new report, SolarPower Europe said Germany added 7.9 GW last year and remained the biggest solar market in 2022, with an overall 68.5 GW.

The German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) and EY calculated that the country needs EUR 600 billion in investments to hit its 2030 energy transition goals.  Germany aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2045.