Kretschmann optimistic: Wind power expansion in BW should finally make progress!

Kretschmann optimistic: Wind power expansion in BW should finally make progress!

Enzkreis, Deutschland - The expansion of wind power in Baden-Württemberg keeps those responsible in suspense. Despite the optimism of Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, who firmly believes in progress, the numbers are disappointing. Until the beginning of December 2023, only eight new wind turbines were put into operation, while these were 16 in the previous year. "We did our homework," emphasizes Kretschmann and refers to 164 plants that have already been approved, with another 179 in the pipeline. A ray of hope is the drastic reduction in the approval periods from seven years to just seven months, such as Bnn.de reported.

The state government has set itself the goal of installing a total of 1,000 new wind turbines by 2030. Although Kretschmann, at the beginning of the year, had the goal of 100 new facilities up to 2024, the pressure remains growing. At the same time, ambitious goals are set in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which are aiming for a wind power expansion to 115 gigawatts by 2030. This means that around 9 gigawatt gross has to be reinstalled annually, while old systems with 17 gigawatts are dismantled by then, such as Environmental Bundesamt.de informed.

challenges of expansion

A central problem remains the provision of sufficient areas for the wind energy sounds. The new wind energy area requirement law obliges the federal states to show the corresponding areas by the end of 2027 and 2032 in order to achieve the desired expansion goals. These legal requirements are crucial to promote the expansion of wind power. Despite technical progress in reducing noise and light emissions, wind energy continues to face challenges, such as minimizing impairments for humans and nature.

The government is based on a rapid implementation of these projects in order to achieve the goals set and to pave the way for a sustainable energy future. The coming months will be crucial for the progress of wind power in Baden-Württemberg and beyond.