The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) and IG Metall – German Metalworkers’ Union are calling for the expansion of wind power to continue in the next government and for a strategy for sustainable growth.
Together with representatives of the Nordex Group and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, they called for production, jobs, competitiveness and technological leadership to be secured. Associations, industry and trade unions should be involved.
According to a joint statement, wind energy is already a mainstay of the German electricity system. In 2024, renewable energies accounted for 60% of the electricity generated, a third of which was attributable to wind power alone. Onshore and offshore plants are therefore the “country’s most powerful source of electricity”.
10,000 MW wind power expansion per year
The dynamic expansion of wind power not only strengthens Germany’s resilience to potential energy crises, but is also a central pillar of the economy. Tens of thousands of jobs are linked to the sector, often with collective wage agreements and active co-determination. The traffic light government has already created the right framework conditions: An annual expansion of 10,000 MW of wind energy is planned. Based on the approvals granted, it seems likely that this target can be achieved in the coming years – the next federal government must therefore build on this and continue the decarbonization of the economy.
“The future federal government must stay on course and not jeopardize the expansion of wind energy on land and at sea,” said Heiko Messerschmidt, Industry Advisor for Wind Power and Energy at IG Metall Küste. “We still need ambitious and reliable framework conditions to secure industrial production and jobs in Germany and Europe in the long term. Some statements in the election campaign give rise to fears to the contrary and bring back memories of wrong political decisions made by previous governments that have not done the industry any good. The energy transition has now become a job engine that provides tens of thousands of jobs and apprenticeships along the entire value chain.”
BWE President Bärbel Heidebroek also agreed with this. “After several years of decline, 2024 was a record year for wind energy thanks to numerous reforms by the outgoing federal government,” she said. “In order for this momentum to continue and for the expansion targets of the EEG to not only come within reach, but to be achieved, the next federal government has a number of tasks ahead of it – from a smooth reform of the electricity market and the implementation of a flexibility strategy within the first 100 days to measures to strengthen cyber security. The industry is ready to make its contribution.”
A level playing field for all competitors
The representatives of the associations and companies agree that know-how and industrial production capacities must be retained. They are concerned about non-European competitors who are competing for market share with heavily subsidized offers and financing conditions – they are therefore calling for a “level playing field”.
Wind power also continues to play a key role in view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. “Germany’s high dependency on energy imports in recent decades was a mistake from which we must learn,” the joint press release states. Renewable electricity from wind energy helps to ensure security of supply in the country. The same applies to the production of green hydrogen, an important energy source for the future, which is to be used wherever the electrification of industry is not possible.
In order to meet the challenges, the expansion of wind power is to be secured with a package of measures. It is particularly important that the supply of green electricity to industry is made possible without bureaucracy. For example, the limitation on the length of power lines in the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) should be abolished, as should the proximity requirements in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). Finally, the participants also called for predictable financing conditions: “The next federal government must send out a signal of reliability.” Only then will it be possible to implement new projects, even in a changed investment climate.
