Onshore wind installs in Germany jump 73% y/y in H1 2016

Germany installed 1,892 MW of net onshore wind capacity in the first half (H1) of 2016, which is by 73% more than a year ago.

When repowered projects are added to the calculation, the figure arrives at 2,053 MW, according to a report by Deutsche Windguard. The rise in deployment is due mainly to the availability of designated areas for wind development across Germany.

The German Wind Energy Association (BWE) said the country is expected to install 4,000 MW-4,400 MW net for the full year. The industry anticipates similar volumes in 2017, as the transition to auctions from the current feed-in tariff (FiT) system will not have been completed by then. 2016-permitted projects that complete construction in 2017 and 2018 will still get FiTs, but lower.

"We expect that most of the projects approved by the end of 2016 will be realised in 2017, and will not be involved in tendering. The extension in 2018 will primarily consist of the tenders awarded in 2017," said Matthias Zelinger, managing director of VDMA Power Systems.

As regards to the planned annual caps on onshore and offshore wind installations under the auction system, the industry warns that it needs a strong domestic market to keep its technology leadership.

The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) sees the global wind turbine market at about 55 GW in 2016, and says it will keep expanding over the coming years.

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