German wind power industry warns of “precarious” situation at major industry fair

A broad alliance of industrial companies, including major associations like the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and industry association BDI, and environmental organisations are counting on Altmaier to deliver on his promise, Albers added. "It's clear that wind power provides the greatest chance to reach the goal of 65 percent [renewables in power consumption] by 2030.” Citing the BWE's Wind Industry Report 2020, Albers said Germany's domestic wind industry faced major hurdles at home at a time when wind energy was expanding around the world and the new EU Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen had announced her ambition for a "Green Deal" to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent.

Wind power is Germany's most important renewable energy source and at times already provides over one-third of all electricity in the country. However, expansion fell to the lowest level since 2000 in the first half of 2019, mainly due to the fact that the construction of more than 2,000 turbines has been put on hold due to licensing problems caused by lawsuits from citizens, environmental groups and aviation authorities.