Wind Repowering in Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg has the lowest wind-turbine density per unit of land among the non-city states — while facing intense WaLG (Wind-on-Land Act) pressure at the same time. Low-wind turbines with a 175 m hub height are standard in the low mountain ranges. The Black Forest and the Swabian Alb are the main regions.

Market data

Permitting & law

• Minimum setback: no flat-rate state rule, based on TA Lärm (Technical Instructions on Noise)
• Authority: Regierungspräsidien (regional administrative authorities — Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Freiburg, Tübingen)
• WaLG target: 1.8% by 2032; current status: approx. 0.3% — significantly behind schedule
• EEG South bonus: applies — +0.30 ct/kWh
• Species protection: red kite, capercaillie (Black Forest), wildcat

Low-wind economics

BW sites typically reach 5.5–6.5 m/s at 150 m hub height — not economically viable with standard turbines. Low-wind turbines (V162-5.0, E160 EP3) plus the EEG South bonus plus the site-quality correction enable an LCOE of 75–95 €/MWh — viable, but tight.

Regionally active engineering firms

• EnBW (Karlsruhe) — largest regional utility, own wind projects
• juwi AG (active in BW) — project development
• uhl-windkraft GmbH (Ellwangen) — regional
• LUBW (Karlsruhe) — state environmental authority

Wind power in Baden-Württemberg – market data, WaLG status and permitting framework

Baden-Württemberg specifics

• Significant WaLG backlog: the exclusionary effect of the concentration zones is at risk of being annulled
• Low-wind state: only turbines with low specific power are economically viable
• Capercaillie Black Forest: difficult permitting situation in higher elevations
• EEG South bonus + site correction: the economic door-opener