Wind power progresses in Schleswig-Holstein - Schleswig-Holstein persists in advancing its wind energy initiatives
Schleswig-Holstein Accelerates Wind Energy Expansion
Schleswig-Holstein, a leader in Germany's energy transition, has unveiled ambitious plans to increase its installed onshore wind power capacity to 15 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. To achieve this, the state government plans to designate around 410 priority areas, covering approximately 3.4% of the state's territory by 2032 – an increase from the current 2% designated for wind energy installations.
These priority areas are intended to meet federal legal requirements and focus wind energy development within specific zones, phasing out the current allowance for municipalities to plan installations outside these areas by autumn 2026 when the final regional wind energy plans are expected.
The current installed capacity in Schleswig-Holstein stands at 9.0 GW, with another 2.7 GW approved and 2.4 GW in the approval process. This substantial increase underlines Schleswig-Holstein's commitment to its energy transition and climate goals by accelerating the expansion of renewable energy.
One gigawatt of installed wind energy capacity represents approximately one billion euros in investment. The state government emphasizes the urgency given global climate challenges and energy policy developments, aiming to maintain a leading role in Germany's shift toward sustainable energy.
Practical initiatives, such as repowering projects, demonstrate the state's commitment to increasing efficiency and output. For instance, the approved upgrade at the Tüttendorf wind farm involves replacing seven older turbines with eight high-capacity (6.2 MW each) turbines, quadrupling the farm’s installed capacity from 12.5 MW to 49.6 MW and significantly boosting annual electricity generation. This approach supports climate goals by enhancing generation capacity within existing wind farm footprints while involving local communities through shared ownership to promote acceptance and regional economic benefits.
The new plans have received mixed reactions. CDU state parliamentarian Thomas Jepsen emphasized that all parties involved would gain planning security, while SPD state parliamentarian Marc Timmer criticized the reduction of the participation period from three to two months. The FDP faction leader Christopher Vogt believes that the black-green plans endanger the acceptance of wind energy in various regions of the state, and the environmental association BUND criticized the plans and demanded that certain areas be free of wind turbines for reasons of bird protection.
The Schleswig-Holstein Renewable Energy Association praised the will to finalize the plans by autumn 2026, and the Greens state parliamentarian Ulrike Tack emphasized that renewable energies are a significant economic factor. The association announced that it would scrutinize the planning procedures for wind energy projects legally.
Increasing electricity demand is expected due to the mobility and heat transition, and the demand for green electricity by companies will also grow. This strategy reflects Schleswig-Holstein’s role as a leader in Germany’s energy transition, leveraging spatial planning and technological upgrades to meet ambitious climate and energy targets.
- The community policy should prioritize encouraging participation in renewable energy projects to promote acceptance and regional economic benefits.
- Science and environmental-science are essential in studying the impact of expanding wind energy installations on bird species and climate-change mitigation.
- The employment policy should be revised to accommodate the increasing job opportunities in the wind energy industry and finance sectors associated with the expansion of renewable energy.
- Schleswig-Holstein's employment policy should emphasize the importance of innovation in renewable-energy technologies, such as the use of high-capacity turbines in repowering projects, to maximize efficiency and output.
