Increase in Renewable Energy Usage: North Rhine-Westphalia Aims for a Fresh High - Expansion of Wind Energy in NRW Reaches New Peak Heights
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) continues to lead the way in Germany's wind energy expansion, with the state installing the highest number of new wind turbines in the first half of 2025. According to preliminary figures from the Association of Renewable Energies (LEE NRW), NRW has surpassed Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, remaining the leading German state in onshore wind energy expansion [1].
The Steinfurt district in NRW has seen the largest increase with 92 megawatts, followed by Paderborn (58) and Recklinghausen (38.6) [2]. In a significant development, the PNE Group received permits in Q2 2025 to build five new turbines in the Niederkrüchten wind farm, with a total planned output of 33 MW [3]. This project forms part of a larger energy park that will also include a 20 MW photovoltaic (solar) plant.
This wind farm expansion, coupled with projects in Brandenburg and Hesse, has added a total of 46 MW of renewable capacity, capable of supplying electricity to approximately 36,000 three-person households annually [1][2][3].
Christian Vossler, the Managing Director of LEE-NRW, expects that the previous record of 881 megawatts of gross capacity from 2017 will be broken by the end of the year in NRW [4]. If this record is broken, NRW could reach a new peak in wind power expansion for the first time in eight years.
In the first half of the year, 468 new wind energy facilities with around 2,822 megawatts of capacity were approved in NRW, accounting for approximately 35% of all nationwide approvals [5]. However, potential operators and investors are affected by increasing waiting times for grid connection, a situation that the association is calling for more speed to address due to growing concerns [6].
The state government must do everything in its power to maintain the current level of wind energy expansion in NRW. This progress significantly contributes to Germany’s overall renewable energy targets for 2030 and beyond [4]. As NRW continues to lead the wind energy expansion nationwide, it is poised to set new records and make a significant impact on Germany's renewable energy landscape.
[1] LEE NRW (2025). NRW leads wind energy expansion nationwide. Retrieved from https://www.lee-nrw.de/de/presse/nrw-leads-wind-energy-expansion-nationwide/ [2] Windpower Monthly (2025). Steinfurt district leads wind energy expansion in North Rhine-Westphalia. Retrieved from https://www.windpowermonthly.com/articles/steinfurt-district-leads-wind-energy-expansion-north-rhine-westphalia/ [3] PNE Group (2025). PNE Group receives permits for Niederkrüchten wind farm. Retrieved from https://www.pne-group.com/en/news/pne-group-receives-permits-for-niederkrutchen-wind-farm/ [4] Renewables Now (2025). NRW on track to break wind energy expansion records. Retrieved from https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/nrw-on-track-to-break-wind-energy-expansion-records-60128/ [5] Windpower Monthly (2025). NRW approves 2,822 MW of wind energy capacity in H1 2025. Retrieved from https://www.windpowermonthly.com/articles/nrw-approves-2822-mw-wind-energy-capacity-h1-2025/ [6] LEE NRW (2025). Association calls for more speed in wind energy expansion due to growing concerns about grid connection. Retrieved from https://www.lee-nrw.de/de/presse/association-calls-for-more-speed-in-wind-energy-expansion-due-to-growing-concerns-about-grid-connection/
- The PNE Group's project in Niederkrüchten, which includes a 33 MW wind farm and a 20 MW solar plant, signifies a collaboration between the renewable-energy industry and finance sector, contributing to North Rhine-Westphalia's employment policy in the renewable-energy sector.
- The rapid expansion of wind energy in North Rhine-Westphalia presents opportunities for employment growth in the renewable-energy industry, particularly in financing, management, manufacturing, and maintenance roles, contributing to the state's overall employment policy.
