Germany led Europe in wind turbine installations in 2024, data shows

Germany installed more wind turbines than any other European country in 2024, maintaining its position as a leader in renewable energy, according to industry association WindEurope.

With new onshore and offshore installations totalling more than 4 gigawatts (GW), Germany was ahead of the United Kingdom, which installed around 1.9 GW, France with 1.7 GW installed, and Finland with 1.4 GW, WindEurope data released on Thursday showed.

Across the EU, a total of 13 GW of wind power was installed last year — falling short of expectations. “This is disappointing,” said Pierre Tardieu of WindEurope, citing grid bottlenecks, ongoing permit challenges and difficult financial conditions as key obstacles.

Offshore wind expansion was further hindered by limited port capacity and a shortage of suitable vessels.

Europe installed 16.4 GW of new wind power in 2024, bringing total wind capacity to 285 GW. However, to meet the EU’s 2030 climate targets, annual installations must reach 30 GW, the association said.

WindEurope projects that 186 GW of new wind power capacity will be installed between 2025 and 2030.

The EU aims to generate 42.5% of its total energy from renewables by the end of the decade, requiring a significant acceleration in wind power expansion.

WindEurope praised Germany for setting a national record with permits for 14 GW of wind energy. The association urged other countries to follow suit by adopting EU approval regulations and expressed confidence that a new German government would continue the country’s “wind energy success story.”

Germany installed more wind turbines than any other European country in 2024, maintaining its position as a leader in renewable energy, according to industry association WindEurope.

With new onshore and offshore installations totalling more than 4 gigawatts (GW), Germany was ahead of the United Kingdom, which installed around 1.9 GW, France with 1.7 GW installed, and Finland with 1.4 GW, WindEurope data released on Thursday showed.

Across the EU, a total of 13 GW of wind power was installed last year — falling short of expectations. “This is disappointing,” said Pierre Tardieu of WindEurope, citing grid bottlenecks, ongoing permit challenges and difficult financial conditions as key obstacles.

Offshore wind expansion was further hindered by limited port capacity and a shortage of suitable vessels.

Europe installed 16.4 GW of new wind power in 2024, bringing total wind capacity to 285 GW. However, to meet the EU’s 2030 climate targets, annual installations must reach 30 GW, the association said.

WindEurope projects that 186 GW of new wind power capacity will be installed between 2025 and 2030.

The EU aims to generate 42.5% of its total energy from renewables by the end of the decade, requiring a significant acceleration in wind power expansion.

WindEurope praised Germany for setting a national record with permits for 14 GW of wind energy. The association urged other countries to follow suit by adopting EU approval regulations and expressed confidence that a new German government would continue the country’s “wind energy success story.”