Schlagwort: Land-based

Onshore wind energy: Analysis of the German market in 2016 and outlook for 2017

After good expansion, there are now challenging times ahead. Further high onshore expansion figures for the fourth year running have underlined the continued excellent performance of the German wind industry. The German wind industry grew by about 4,625 megawatts (4,259 MW net), thus reaching the anticipated increase of almost a quarter over the previous year, and very nearly the 2014 level.

Thanks to further technological development it has been possible to install system-supporting and highly efficient turbines in all regions of Germany. Success is also increasing on the world market. Challenges are posed by the changeover to the tendering process in Germany and difficult conditions in important exporting countries.

Expansion of onshore wind energy in Germany in the first half of 2016

With a net capacity of 1,892 megawatts in the first six months of the year, 2016 looks like being a good year for land-based wind energy expansion. This strong expansion is being driven by the allocation of suitable sites and priority areas in many federal states. There has also been a surge of permits in order to secure the option of installing turbines with legally fixed EEG remuneration rates. In Germany the wind industry is working hard to develop innovation and production bases further. It also aims to use its leading technology to further expand its strong position in what are generally stable markets abroad.

Onshore wind energy in Germany was extended by a net capacity of 1,892 megawatts in the first half of 2016, representing a growth of 73 per cent over the same period the previous year (1,093 megawatts). Factoring in the number of dismantled turbines and the 161 megawatts of repowered turbine capacity in the first six months, this gives a gross capacity increase of 2,053 megawatts. This means a third strong year in a row for reasonably priced onshore wind energy. Taking projects that have already been granted planning permission into consideration, the industry associations VDMA Power Systems and German Wind Energy Association BWE predict a net volume of between 4,000 and 4,400 megawatts for the whole year.