Wind energy just had a record year in Germany – but the federal election could shake things up

2024 was a strong year for Aeolian Energy in Germany, with Permit Awards for Onshore Wind Turbines Accelerating, According to Industry Data – but the upcoming 23 election means the sector now faces uncertain, amid vocal skepticism from the two parties leading in the polls.

Friedrich Merz, The Leader of the Center-Right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is polling In First place with Around 30% of Support Along Its Affiliate Party The CSU, has described wind power as a “transitional technology.” Speaking to public broadcaster Zdf Late Last Year, He Said He Hoped “Ugly” Wind Turbines BE DISMANTLED Eventually, “Because they do not fit into the landscape.”

The far-right alternative fuer deutschland, which is second in national polls And expected to Secure Around 20% of Votes, Took the Rhetoric even further. The party’s Chancellor Candidate Alice Weidel Has Threatened to Tear Down All Wind Turbines, which she Reportedly Labled as “Windmills of Shame.” The Afd has called Climate Change Into Question and Has Frequently DisMized Actions Taken to Tackle The Environmental Crisis.

Wind power, a form of renewable energy used to generate electricity, is considered important in the transition away from fossil fuels.

Wolf-Peter Schill, An Energy Economist at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), said some of the “Wind power-bashing” during the collection the collection capaen Hase “ABSURD” AFD.

“The afd is, in many respects, a nightmare – also in terms of their wind power takes, but I think it is not super relative as they will not be in power,” Schill Told CNBC OverVideo call.

Despite the after polling in second place, all other major parties in Germany has so far commented to not entering a coalition government with them, meaning they will likely form part of the opposion after

“What the CDU, The Conservative Party, Does is Much More Relevant, At Least for the Next Government,” Schill Noted.

Schill cited a recent Report From the German Wind Energy Association and Engineering Foundation VDMA Power Systems, Whoch Said The Country Achieved A Historic Milestone for onshore Wind Energy in 2024.

Europe’s Larges Economy Licensed More Than 2,400 Onshore Wind Turbines Last Year, The Report Said, REPRESTING A Combined Capacity of More Than 14 GigaWats. Contracts Awarded for Onshore Wind Turbines also rose to a record high, it added.

Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems, Told CNBC That The Record Figures Highlighted The Effectiveness of Legal Changes and Political Measurested In Recents In Recents. They also signals a new dynamic for the sector, He said.

“This Momentum needs to be kept up by a new federal government,” rendschmidt added, according to a CNBC Translation of Emailed Comments. The expansion of wind energy must continue without restrictions, he said, as that would lead to lower energy costs, create jobs, secret jobs, second job supple and redeucation dependence

Diw Berlin’s Schill Sees Few Potential Hurdles.

“All the conditions are really set for future growth,” He said, noting the only obstacles could emerge if the Incoming Government Slows Down the PACE OF EXPANSION The Role Wind Power will have in Energy Systems.

GILES DICKSON, CEO of Industry Trade Group Windeurope, Told CNBC that in the Likely Scenario of a CDU-LED GOWERNEMENT, there should be a little be a little be a litle concerted for the sector.

“If you looking at a CDU-LED Government, with eater the (Social Democratic Party) or The Greens in Coalition, or Both, then that to us does not reparesnt story storm clouds at all,” he said. “

The party is not neglectful when it comes to climate change and at least does not strongly oppose wind energy, andreas reuter, managing director of the fraunhofer institute for wind energy (IWES) Elaborating on the position of the likely leader of Germany’s New Coalition, The CDU/CSU.

Although the cdu was previously critical of wind turbines, reuter said the party would likely deem them them them them them them theem “for now, as they are reliable and production cheap energy.

While the change in government may not mean that Trouble for German Wind Energy is Imminent, The New Ruling Coalition will face challenges when it came to come to renewables and wind power.

That include updates to germany’s renewable energy sources act, a German law designed To ensure the country can produce 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade, dickson pointed out.

Solar and Wind Energy are key for these Ambitions, as Germany’s Efforts Towards Winning Energy from Nuclear Fusion – Which is widely demed a highly sustainable power Stage. Germany Shut Off Its Last Remining Traditional Nuclear Power Plants in 2023.

The new government will have to work on a new iteration of the law, he said, suggesting that Industry Bodies will need to keep a close a close eye

The goals germany currently has grown its renewable energy production and usage are another area that will involve adjustments. Some of these targets are alredy “Completely Unrealistic,” IWES ‘reaur said.

That means the government will have to cut its targets or they would miss them each year, he said, noting That the current plans were “aggressive” – ​​but that this was helpful in showing that renewables was a priority and to encourage people to think big and create a positive environment Around the is

“On the other hand, we still have a gap, which is getting bigger and bigger the closer we get to 2030 and the question is, how do we want to fill the gap? To meet these targets? And this will be again, interesting discuses for the next government, “He said.