Germany hits 1GW of wind energy

Germany now has more than 1GW of wind energy capacity according to an industry-backed report released this week.

The study was conducted by Deutsche WindGuard and commissioned by VDMA Power Systems, the German Wind Energy Association (BWE), the Wind Energy Agency (WAB) and the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation (SOW) and showed that as of the end of 2014 Germany had 258 offshore turbines online, providing 1,049.2MW of capacity from the North and Baltic Seas.

The findings of the report also confirmed that installed offshore wind capacity more than doubled last year, with 142 turbines boasting 528.9MW of capacity connected to the grid over the 12 month period.

The study also found that capacity is expected to more than double again in 2015.

285 turbines with over 1.3GW of capacity have been installed and are awaiting grid-connection, with a further 220 foundations yet to be completed.

Norbert Giese, chairman of the VDMA steering committee for the offshore wind industry and board member of the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation, in a statement said: "Out at sea we have now officially broken through the gigawatt barrier for installed capacity. This corresponds to an investment volume of around €4bn. In addition, turbine, foundation and grid technology exports are also in the billion-euro range. In 2015 we are expecting up to 2GW of offshore wind capacity to be newly connected to the grid. By the end of 2015, we will see a total of some 3 gigawatts installed capacity online, which corresponds to an investment of €10bn in the domestic market of the German offshore wind industry."

According to Giese, German offshore wind industry boasted around €1.9bn in revenues during 2013 and employed 19,000 people.

Industry figures have highlighted how the new report underlines the strength of the country's offshore wind sector, but warned its continued success depends on the government clarifying its long-term policy plans.

Hermann Albers, president of the German Wind Energy Association BWE, said: "The offshore technology, which has great potential for realising the energy transition and ensuring security of supply in Germany, is on the edge of a decisive breakthrough. More than ever, a reliable legal framework is decisive for the future development. Only when investment security is ensured, it will be possible to fully exploit the cost reduction potential, maintain Germany's leading technological position, and harness export success on a growing global market. It is therefore task of the German government to urgently provide a solid and fair legal framework for the electricity market of the future."

Chancellor Angela Merkel also told a meeting of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BFE) this week that she will prioritise plans to construct new transmission lines from clean energy projects in the north of Germany to industrial regions in the south and west.

According to reports, Merkel told clean energy executives that she was wary about proposals for a national capacity mechanism that would seek to bailout loss-making fossil fuel power plants.

Merkel said: "I share your scepticism as regards to capacity markets. We want the most efficient solution."

The German government announced wide-ranging plans in 2014 to accelerate its Energiewende transition, with increased investment in renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy efficiency.