The conversion of wind energy into electricity by wind turbines and wind farms is also a regenerative way of generating electricity. However, it depends very much on the weather: both too little and too much wind are a problem for the wind turbines. Large wind farms at sea generate particularly large amounts of electricity. The expansion of wind energy in Germany is to be simplified and accelerated. This is because wind energy is a main pillar on the path to climate-neutral electricity generation, but it faces challenges and protests.
Renewable but weather-dependent power generation
When wind power is used as an energy source to generate electricity, the kinetic energy of the winds is used to set the rotors of a wind turbine in motion. This mechanical kinetic energy in turn drives a generator, which produces electricity. Generating electricity from wind energy does not produce any climate-damaging emissions. However, wind energy is a volatile energy source: It is weather-dependent. In certain weather conditions there is no wind, e.g. when it is very hot, frosty or foggy. If the wind is too strong, the wind farms are switched off for safety reasons. In addition, the wind speed is crucial for a good yield. If the wind speed doubles, the energy content increases eightfold - and vice versa1. This volatility leads to instability in the electricity grid. Wind farms are built both on land (onshore) and at sea (offshore). Due to the constant higher wind speed on the high seas, offshore wind farms produce twice as much electricity as comparable plants on land2.
Expansion of wind energy in Germany
In Germany, wind energy is the main pillar of the energy transition on the way to climate neutrality. This is because 80 % of gross electricity consumption is to be covered by renewable energies by 2030. This means that the share of renewable energies must almost double within less than ten years. Wind energy must therefore be expanded three times faster than before3.
Challenges and protests
To protect marine fauna, the planning and construction of offshore wind farms takes place under the strictest conditions. Due to the noise and changes to the landscape, wind turbines are not very popular with the German population. In this country, the transport of offshore wind energy from the north to the south is also a challenge. Due to numerous objections and citizens' protests against the routing in the affected regions, politicians have stipulated by law that the electricity highways are to be laid mostly underground as underground cables4.
Plans for simplification and acceleration
The construction of the infrastructure in Germany is progressing only slowly. SuedLink, one of several planned electricity highways and Germany's largest infrastructure project, which will transport wind energy from the north to the south of the country over a length of about 700 kilometres, is not expected to be completed until 2028 instead of 2022. The capacity is equivalent to about four nuclear power plants and can supply around ten million households with electricity5. With the adoption of the "Easter Package" by the German government on 6 April 2022, planning and approval procedures for wind turbines and the expansion of the electricity grid are to be simplified and accelerated6.
Significance in Europe
Wind energy also plays a decisive role in Europe. In 2021, 17.4 GW of new wind energy was installed (14.0 GW onshore, 3.3 GW offshore). Wind turbines covered 15% of the electricity consumption of the 27 EU states plus the UK in 2021. Germany ranks first with 64 GW of installed capacity, followed by Spain with 28 GW and the UK with 26.7 GW. In 2021, most wind turbines were installed in the UK with 2,645 MW, followed by Sweden and Germany7. WindEurope 2021 has developed different scenarios for the development of wind energy capacity in Europe over the next five years (2022 to 2026). The "Realistic Expectations" scenario sees a deficit with an annual installed capacity of 17.6 GW. This expected capacity is far below the 32 GW per year needed to achieve the energy target of 40 % renewable energy8.
Global importance
China has led the world in wind energy for several years, with 338.31 GW of installed wind power capacity in 2021 (including 27.68 GW offshore and 310.63 GW onshore). Like no other country, the Asian country is investing massively in wind energy. With a total onshore capacity of 121.95 M W in 2020, the USA ranks second worldwide9.
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