Wind power in Germany

German electricity by source in 2023

•   Brown coal: 77.5 TW⋅h (17.7%)
•   Hard coal: 36.05 TW⋅h (8.3%)
•   Natural gas: 45.79 TW⋅h (10.5%)
•   Wind: 139.77 TW⋅h (32.0%)
•   Solar: 53.48 TW⋅h (12.2%)
•   Biomass: 42.25 TW⋅h (9.7%)
•   Nuclear: 6.72 TW⋅h (1.5%)
•   Hydro: 19.48 TW⋅h (4.5%)
•   Oil: 3.15 TW⋅h (0.7%)
•   Other: 12.59 TW⋅h (2.9%)

Net generated electricity in 2023^[1]

Wind power in Germany is a growing industry. The installed capacity was 55.6 gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2017, with 5.2 GW from offshore installations. In 2020, 23.3% of the country's total electricity was generated through wind power, up from 6.2% in 2010 and 1.6% in 2000.^[2]

More than 26,772 wind turbines were located in the German federal area by year end 2015, and the country has plans for further expansion.^[3][4] As of the end of 2015, Germany was the third largest producer of wind power in the world by installations, behind China and the United States.^[5] Germany also has a number of turbine manufacturers, like Enercon, Nordex and Senvion.

In the first half of 2021, with 22% a contribution to German electric generation, wind was the second most important contributor, following coal, which was the top producer, with 27%. In 2020 wind was the top generator.^[6]

The German Federal Government has enacted plans to expand offshore wind energy, with targets of 30 gigawatts by 2030, increasing to 70 gigawatts by 2045. This move is part of a strategy to enhance the country's renewable energy portfolio and reduce dependence on energy imports.^[7] To achieve these goals, the government is implementing measures to streamline planning and approval processes for wind energy projects.^[8]