Germany - Wind Energy "Made in Germany" as an export hit

Wind energy continues to be a success story in Germany. Thanks to a robust domestic market, German manufacturers and suppliers are leading the way in developing wind energy worldwide. In 2007, Germany’s share of the revenue from all turbines and components produced worldwide amounted to 6.1 billion euros – 21 per cent more than in 2006. Thus in 2007, German manufacturers and suppliers contributed to nearly 28 per cent of the total worldwide turnover of 22.1 billion euros. The export quota increased from 74 per cent in 2006 to over 83 per cent in 2007. Together with installation, operation and maintenance services, the wind industry achieved a turnover of more than 7.6 billion euros.

"The latest manufacturer survey conducted by the German Wind Energy Institute (DEWI) shows that last year the German wind industry was able to confidently assert its leading position in the worldwide market. The market share would have been even higher had manufacturers and suppliers not reached limits to their capacity first. The industry is now present in all key markets in Europe, North America and Asia with its technology and know-how," emphasized Thorsten Herdan, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems. "German companies are building new production facilities in the growth markets in the U.S. and China. In 2008, it is expected that 8,000 and 5,000 megawatts of new wind capacity will be installed in the U.S. and China alone," according to Herdan.

The manufacturer survey, which was conducted on behalf of the German Wind Energy Association (BWE) and the Association of German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers (VDMA), underlines the importance of a stable domestic market as the basis for success in the continually growing international market. In the first half-year of 2008, 415 wind turbines with a total capacity of almost 800 megawatts were installed in Germany – around 20 per cent more than in the same period last year. Thus a total of 19,869 wind turbines with an overall capacity of 23,044 MW were installed in Germany by the middle of 2008. "By the end of 2008, the national market will level off in line with the previous year before gradually picking up again in 2009," emphasized Hermann Albers, President of the German Wind Energy Association. "The EEG amendment for 2009 and the planned new sites determined suitable for wind energy in Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg und Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will give new impetus to onshore wind energy.

The increased demand for wind turbines in Germany and abroad created around 10,000 new jobs in the wind energy industry last year. All manufacturers and suppliers are expanding their capacities in Germany and at their international sites. More than 90,000 people are currently working in the German wind energy industry," said Albers about wind energy as an economic factor and motor for creating jobs.

Both the BWE and VDMA Power Systems are looking to the future with optimism. "The amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which was passed this summer, provides the right framework conditions for continuing the success story of wind energy in Germany. Now operators, manufacturers, suppliers and project planners have the investment security they need," says Thorsten Herdan.

Hermann Albers emphasized the opportunities of repowering for the future development of the domestic market. “The equation for success in the German wind energy industry for the coming years will be to reduce the number of turbines = double the capacity = triple the yield. Replacing first-generation wind turbines with modern multi-megawatt wind turbines can nearly double the capacity of a wind farm and triple the energy yield," asserts Albers.

The key figures as prepared by the German Wind Energy Institute on behalf of the BWE and VDMA:

- German wind power industry 2007 (compared to 2006)
- German added value, domestic: 1.035 billion euros (- 22 per cent)
- German added value, export: 5.1 billion euros (- 37 per cent)
- German export quota: 83 per cent (2006: 74 per cent)
- German added value, total: 6.134 billion euros (+ 21 per cent)
- German added value, including services: 7.602 billion euros (+ 14 per cent)
- World market volume: 22.128 billion euros (+ 44 per cent) or 19,582 MW (+ 30.5 per cent)
- German share of world market: 27.7 per cent (2006: 32.9 per cent)
- Jobs: approximately 90,000 (+ 22 per cent)

Many other statistics concerning the German Wind Energy Market can be found on the German Wind Energy Association's website under: www.wind-energie.de/de/statistiken/