Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Wind power is booming despite the approval backlog!

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Wind power is booming despite the approval backlog!

In the first half of 2025, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania experienced a gratifying development in the field of wind power: ten new wind turbines with a total output of 56.5 megawatts were installed. This result means a remarkable increase of 45.4 percent compared to the previous year. The region thus shows that it is on the right track to expand its capacity in the area of renewable energies. Nevertheless, there are also challenges that need to be mastered, especially with regard to the approval period. Like N-tv is reported with an approval. of an average of 45 months the bottom of the federal comparison, while the national average is 18 months.

While North Rhine-Westphalia has ahead and was able to record an increase of 97.8 percent with 117 new facilities and an output of 598.1 megawatts, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania must continue to fight against a significant claim for application despite the increased figures. Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) found that despite the increase in the staff in the offices of the application congestion, it could hardly be reduced. In 2024, only 88 procedures for 198 wind turbines were approved, which corresponds to an increase compared to 2023, where 126 plants with a total output of 671 megawatts were approved.

backlog and approval problem

The responsible offices are currently fighting with an application congestion of 291 procedures for 1,157 wind turbines. According to the ministry, the average procedure is now three to four years. This not only ensures frustration among applicants, some of whom sue the offices, but also leads to the fact that the applications often have to wait much longer for processing.

The need to accelerate the procedures is therefore obvious. Backhaus has assured that the permits should be issued within six to ten months for complete documents. A new law that has been in force since the beginning of the year also requires a modification of the night lighting of wind turbines, which entails additional challenges. In the literally "difficult" region of Schildetal, where 15 wind turbines are planned, residents made their concerns clear at a citizens' meeting.

longer procedural times

The data analysis of the Wind at Land e.V. The preliminary examination phase has increased from 14 months to about 21 months, and the entire period from project began to start the project can now expand to about 50 months. Comprehensive changes in the approval procedure and the personnel equipment of the authorities would be necessary for a rapid implementation and to achieve the expansion goals of 115 gigawatt wind energy by 2030, as well as Bdew emphasized.

Overall, the development of wind power in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania shows both progress and considerable obstacles that still need to be overcome. The region is on the right course, but time is urged because in the entire Federal Republic 409 wind turbines with an output of 2.2 gigawatts were put into operation - the highest number since 2017. In order not to fall behind here, a quick and effective action is required.