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Wind turbines in Lower Saxony
Photo: Julian Stratenschulte / DPA
Last year was the second worst year for the expansion of wind power since the turn of the millennium.
According to the preliminary calculations by the “Onshore Wind Energy Agency”, only around 1,400 megawatts of power were added in 2020, reports ARD.
Between 2013 and 2018, however, there was an average increase of around 4,000 megawatts.
Only 2019 was worse for the expansion of wind power.
At that time, growth of only around 1000 megawatts was the lowest point since 2000.
The agency sees a slightly better approval situation as the reason for the slight increase in the past year.
According to the report, there was again a strong north-south divide.
Most of the plants were added in 2020 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
In contrast, only a few new plants have been built in Saxony, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saarland.
According to ARD, the German Wind Energy Association complains that too few permits are still being granted for new projects.
The countries would have to provide more space.
In addition, hundreds of lawsuits against new wind turbines are pending nationwide.
This would be justified with bird protection or noise protection as well as health concerns of the plaintiffs.
Greens and leftists as well as climate protection and environmental associations have repeatedly accused the federal government of hindering rather than promoting the expansion of wind power, contrary to its own declarations of intent.
The federal government is aiming for 65 percent green electricity by 2030.
Last year, 46 percent of electricity came from renewable energies.
In order to achieve the 65 percent target, the expansion would have to be accelerated considerably.
Climate experts also consider the expansion target to be insufficient.
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