A continuing slump in the expansion of Germany’s onshore wind power industry could have “drastic” consequences for business and employment in the country’s most important renewable energy branch, engineering association VDMA Power Systems has warned. If the current low expansion trend persists, up to 27 percent of the roughly 64,000 jobs directly linked to onshore wind power could be at risk, according to an analysis commissioned by the association, according to Clean Energy Wire.

Moreover, total installed capacity would shrink due to older turbines being taken out of operation, making Germany’s 2030 emissions reduction almost impossible to reach.
With over 40 percent of wind power companies mulling job cuts, Germany could lose its leading position and influence in a market that is booming worldwide, said VDMA Power Systems CEO Matthias Zelinger.