Schipkau is worried about the highest wind turbines: gigantic heights and profits!

Schipkau is worried about the highest wind turbines: gigantic heights and profits!

A huge construction project is currently being carried out in the small Brandenburg community of Schipkau, which is causing a stir nationwide. Starting this week, the gradual construction of an impressive wind turbine will begin, which, at 300 meters high, will go down in history as the tallest wind turbine in the world. The operating company, Gicon, has already made the necessary preparations by installing the foundation and the management elements. This wind turbine is not only a technical masterpiece, but also an important step in the energy supply in this country.

The GICON Schipkau high-altitude wind turbine will reach a total height of 365 meters thanks to its rotor blades, making it the tallest structure in Germany, just after the television tower in Berlin. The project has already taken shape since September 19, 2024 and is expected to be completed by summer 2025, after commissioning was originally scheduled for 2023 but was postponed to 2026. Over the last two years, Gicon has carried out comprehensive wind measurements with a 300 meter high measuring mast. These showed that the wind at this height not only blows stronger, but also more evenly, which significantly increases the efficiency of the system. Loud rbb24 The new system is expected to generate more than twice as much energy as conventional wind turbines.

Economic importance and citizen participation

A big advantage of the new wind turbine is that it can be placed between existing systems, meaning no additional space is required. This is particularly helpful in the current discussion about land use for renewable energy. Gicon also relies on citizen participation: Since 2015, around three million euros have been paid out to local residents through the “citizen electricity model”. The company plans to continue to involve the population in the project's financial income.

Despite differing opinions among the population, there has so far been little resistance to the project. An urgent application from the Schwarzheide Aero Club, which was directed against the construction of the wind turbine, was rejected in May 2025. The Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court decided that the association was not authorized to apply, which did not further complicate the path to realizing the project.

Wind energy in a global context

Wind energy is playing an increasingly important role in the energy transition not only in Germany but worldwide. Statistics show that installed wind energy capacity has increased continuously since the 2000s and has already reached over 1,000 gigawatts in 2023 Statista. Germany takes third place with around 69 gigawatts, just after the USA and China, which is the world leader with around 441 gigawatts. What is particularly notable is that 117 gigawatts were newly installed last year alone, a new record for the industry.

These developments show that wind power has a promising future. In particular, onshore systems, such as the wind turbine being built in Schipkau, are more cost-effective and, compared to offshore systems, play a central role in the discussion about energy supply. The new technologies, such as those of the Gicon plant, could help to phase out fossil fuels more quickly.

Overall, the Schipkau example shows how innovative approaches to wind energy can shape a sustainable future while at the same time strengthening the local economy and actively involving citizens. The coming months until the wind turbine is completed can be followed with excitement!