Installation of wind turbines in Germany has increased by 13.8% year-on-year to more than 16.6 GW, with as many as 1,200 turbines and a total capacity of 2,037 MW installed in Germany in 2004. However, this is a fall of 23% on 2003 installations. According to the German wind energy association (BWE) the number of new installations has fallen mainly due to lack of suitable locations and the stricter requirements for building permits with the projected offshore parks not developing as expected. Some 1,700 MW of new installations are anticipated during the coming year.
Enercon strengthened its market leadership in Germany with almost 42% of the market with Danish rival Vestas at 30% and REpower systems with just over 9% of market share.
Sales from German wind energy equipment producers remained at euro 3 billion in 2004, largely due to increased exports.
