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Wind turbines in Lower Saxony are frequently spinning every fourth time

Wind turbines spinning elsewhere than a fourth in Lower Saxony's landscape

Approximately one-quarter of newly installed wind turbines in Lower Saxony are now operational.
Approximately one-quarter of newly installed wind turbines in Lower Saxony are now operational.

Wind turbines in Lower Saxony are rotating every fourth time. - Wind turbines in Lower Saxony are frequently spinning every fourth time

Lower Saxony, Germany, has emerged as a frontrunner in the nation's wind energy sector, with a significant increase in wind turbine installations. This trend is driven by a combination of geographical advantages, supportive policies, economic benefits, strategic expansion plans, and advanced infrastructure and technology.

## Geographical Advantages

The state's topography offers favourable wind conditions, particularly near the North Sea, making it an ideal location for wind farms. Lower Saxony's coastal regions provide consistent winds that are essential for the efficiency of wind turbines.

## Policy and Regulation

Recent policies and regulations support the expansion of renewable energy across Germany. Lower Saxony benefits from these national initiatives, which include streamlined approval processes and incentives for renewable energy projects. Additionally, changes in legislation have encouraged more wind turbine installations in regions that were previously less active.

## Economic Benefits

Wind farms generate significant economic benefits through lease payments and municipal participations, creating sustainable local value creation. This economic incentive encourages communities and local governments to support wind farm developments, contributing to the high number of installations in Lower Saxony.

## Strategic Expansion Plans

Companies like Energiequelle GmbH are actively planning and implementing new wind farm projects in Lower Saxony and the surrounding regions. This strategic expansion is driven by partnerships with local communities and investors, further boosting the region's wind energy capacity.

## Infrastructure and Technology

The availability of advanced wind turbine technology and the presence of experienced developers and manufacturers in Germany support the installation process, making it easier for regions like Lower Saxony to expand their wind power infrastructure.

In comparison to other German states, states like Bavaria have seen fewer installations due to historical legislative barriers. However, with recent policy changes, Bavaria is also expected to see significant expansion in the second half of 2025. North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein are also leading in wind energy development, but Lower Saxony remains a critical hub due to its strategic advantages and proactive development initiatives.

By the end of June, around 1.6 gigawatts of new wind energy capacity had been approved in Lower Saxony, which is one-fifth of all approvals nationwide. The state currently has 6,202 wind energy facilities with a capacity of 13.4 gigawatts, making it the state with the highest total capacity nationwide. Just over one-fifth (20.5%) of the nationwide total capacity falls to Lower Saxony. The 91 new facilities in Lower Saxony have a combined capacity of 502 megawatts, which is 22.8% of the newly added capacity nationwide. Nearly a quarter (25%) of the 400 new wind turbines installed nationwide were located in Lower Saxony alone.

The top two wind density districts nationwide are in Schleswig-Holstein: Dithmarschen with 1,655 kilowatts per square kilometer and North Friesland with 1,193. In Lower Saxony, Aurich district has the fifth-highest wind density nationwide, with 838 kilowatts of wind power per square kilometer.

However, there are challenges to overcome. Currently, due to potential overloads of the power grid, wind turbines in Lower Saxony may be idle even when there is wind. Economic and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) has announced a "reality check" of the energy transition, citing high costs. Despite these challenges, the Renewable Energy Association of Lower Saxony/Bremen has called for continued expansion of wind energy.

For Lower Saxony, the future of wind energy remains promising, with its strategic position, supportive policies, and proactive development initiatives setting the stage for continued growth in the sector.

[1] Energiequelle GmbH:

Community policy in Lower Saxony, Germany, actively promotes renewable-energy projects, especially wind energy, aiding the expansion of this sector. This policy prioritizes energy from the industry, drawing on finance from wind farms to spark local economic growth.

In the finance sector, the surplus income generated by wind energy projects in Lower Saxony, through lease payments and municipal participations, is channeled towards supporting other development initiatives within the community. This strategic financial planning ensures sustainable growth for the region, making it an attractive hub for renewable-energy investment.

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