Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Anticipates Surge in Wind Energy Development
Increased Construction and Plant Replacements
After years of slow expansion, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is poised for a significant uptick in wind energy development, according to Environment Minister Till Backhaus. This optimism stems from a surge in building permits.
"We are on a very good path," said the SPD politician, while acknowledging the state’s substantial backlog of pending applications.
In 2024, permits were granted for 198 wind turbines across 88 projects, totaling over 1,000 megawatts of capacity. Backhaus estimated the associated investment at nearly 1.8 billion euros. This follows 126 new wind turbines with a combined capacity of 671 megawatts approved in 2023.
Persistent Application Backlog
Despite increased permit approvals due to additional staff in relevant agencies, the state’s backlog of applications from previous years has seen little reduction. Backhaus attributed this to a steady stream of new requests. In 2024 alone, 81 new applications were received, bringing the total number of pending procedures to 291 (encompassing 1,157 wind turbines). At the start of 2024, the backlog stood at 297 applications.
Backhaus cited an average processing time of three to four years. However, many older applications have been languishing for considerably longer, prompting applicants to file legal challenges due to the agencies’ inaction. The aim is to complete permit procedures within the statutory time frame of six to ten months, provided that all necessary documentation is submitted.
National Lag in Wind Energy Deployment
Despite the upswing in permit approvals, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern continues to lag behind other German states in terms of wind energy deployment. According to data from the Fachagentur Wind und Solar (a specialized agency for wind and solar energy), only 16 new wind turbines with a capacity of 89.3 megawatts were commissioned in the state in 2024. This placed MV near the bottom of the national ranking.
Currently, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern generates electricity from approximately 1,840 wind turbines. In neighboring Schleswig-Holstein, however, there are 3,238 operating turbines.
Addressing Challenges
To accelerate the pace of wind energy development and reduce the application backlog, Backhaus outlined several measures:
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Streamlining Procedures: The state is working to simplify administrative processes, reducing the time and effort required for permit applications.
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Additional Staff: The number of staff in relevant agencies is being increased to handle the workload more efficiently.
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Improved Communication: Backhaus emphasized the importance of clear and timely communication with applicants throughout the application process.
By addressing these challenges, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern aims to harness its renewable energy potential and contribute significantly to Germany’s transition to a low-carbon future.
