Wind-on-Land Act (WaLG)
The WaLG (in force since February 2023) obliges all German federal states to designate 2.2% of their land area for wind energy by 2032. Any state that misses the target loses its ability to steer via concentration zones — wind turbines may then be erected outside the designated areas as well. This creates strong pressure for area provision.
Area Targets per Federal State
| Federal State | Target 2027 | Target 2032 |
|---|---|---|
| Niedersachsen | 1.4% | 2.2% |
| Brandenburg | 1.8% | 2.2% |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 1.3% | 2.0% |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 1.4% | 2.1% |
| NRW | 1.1% | 1.8% |
| Hessen | 1.8% | 2.2% |
| Bayern | 1.1% | 1.8% |
| Baden-Württemberg | 1.1% | 1.8% |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | 1.4% | 2.2% |
| Saarland | 1.1% | 1.8% |
| Sachsen | 1.3% | 2.0% |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | 1.8% | 2.2% |
| Thüringen | 1.8% | 2.2% |
| City-states (BE, HB, HH) | 0.25–0.5% | 0.5% |
Current Compliance Status (as of 2026)
| Federal State | Currently designated | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Brandenburg | 2.2% | 2032 target achieved |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 1.9% | on track |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 2.1% | 2032 target achieved |
| Hessen | 1.9% | on track |
| Niedersachsen | 1.3% | narrowly on track |
| NRW | 0.9% | behind schedule |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | 1.5% | narrowly on track |
| Sachsen, Thüringen, Rheinland-Pfalz | 0.8–1.2% | behind schedule |
| Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Saarland | 0.3–0.7% | significantly behind |
Values are estimates based on state government reports and the BfN area monitor.
Sanctions for Non-Compliance
If a federal state misses its area target:
- Exclusion effect of concentration zones lapses: wind turbines may be erected outside the designated zones, provided they are otherwise eligible for a permit
- Blanket minimum-setback rules are suspended: e.g. Bavaria’s 10H rule (10× total height) could become void in Bavaria if the area target is not met
- This gives the WaLG a strong acceleration effect for project planners — even in restrictive federal states
WaLG Simplifications for Repowering
- 1:1 repowering: simplified procedure, reduced procedural depth
- Existing data from the old turbine can be reused
- Impact assessment in the landscape management plan (LBP) is mitigated by the dismantling credit
- Permit risk for repowering significantly lower than for greenfield projects
Need a WaLG strategy assessment for your site?
We broker to specialized planning-law firms — evaluation of the site status regarding area framework, WaLG sanctions, and § 35 BauGB.
Get in touchCommon Questions
Are existing wind areas counted toward the target?
Yes — existing concentration zones + priority areas + suitability areas count toward the 2.2% quota, provided wind projects are actually permissible there.
What happens with interim non-compliance?
The WaLG sets interim targets (2027). If a state fails to meet its interim target by the deadline, the suspension of the exclusion effect takes effect automatically.
Are city-states affected?
Yes, with reduced targets (0.5%). In practice, this is barely relevant as city-states have almost no viable wind turbine sites.