2020 figures from the BWE and VDMA Power Systems represent an increase of 46% compared to 2019.
Germany installed 1431MW of additional onshore wind capacity in 2020, comprising 420 turbines, according to associations BWE and VDMA Power Systems.
The figures for 2020 represent an increase of 46% compared to 2019.
Around 339MW of the amount comprised repowering projects using 102 turbines.
The VDMA said the 1.4GW figure still falls short of the target set out in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) 2021, adopted at the end of 2020, which envisages an expansion target of 71GW of onshore wind energy by 2030, with plans to increase it to 95GW.
VDMA Power Systems managing director Matthias Zelinger said: “While we have taken the first step out of the bottom with market growth in 2020, the ambition and reality gap between the requirements and reality of the addition are too far apart: the long-term outlook based on the EEG is positive, but in the short term there remains a serious discrepancy between the volume of tenders and the approvals.”
He added: “To achieve the targets, we need permits for 5000-6000MW per year.”
BWE president Hermann Albers said in the south of Germany, wind expansion capacity has stalled.
On the basis of the projects awarded, the associations are forecasting an expansion of 2000-2,500MW in 2021.
EEG 2021 provides planning certainty for an average of almost 4000MW of tender volume per year until 2028.
Albers added: “It is essential to avoid the fact that the 2021 super-election year will lead to a short-term regulatory standstill.
“The demands of the motion for a resolution on the EEG must be complied with in a timely manner.
“Particular attention must be paid to repowering. A continuous repowering strategy is needed that takes into account the existing areas and secures them for the future.”