The expansion of wind energy in Germany is often hindered by protests from the population. Critics of wind turbines make their voices heard - usually with false arguments. However, a new survey shows: the vast majority of the population sees the expansion as important, even if it takes place in their immediate vicinity. "The silent majority is behind increased use of renewables", explains Markus W. Voigt, CEO of aream Group. This attitude has once again been strengthened with the Ukraine war, he adds.

Wind power does not make an effective contribution to climate protection, harms forests, birds and tourism, the turbines do not create sustainable jobs and reduce the value of real estate in the vicinity of the wind turbines - with such and other arguments, critics try to stir up sentiment against the expansion of wind power. Quite obviously, they are less successful in doing so than it may sometimes seem. According to a new survey by Forsa and the German Wind Energy Agency, 51 percent of respondents consider the expansion of wind energy use to be "very important" and another 31 percent "important. The majority - 84 percent - agree with existing turbines, even if they are located in their immediate living environment. 

Since the first survey in 2015, the acceptance of wind energy has been around 80 percent, which is very high. The fact that the assessment of expansion as "very important" has increased by a further three percentage points since last year is also linked to the geopolitical situation: According to the survey, the importance of wind energy expansion for one-third of respondents has been further strengthened by the Ukraine war. "The figures clearly show that the majority of the population is aware of the geopolitical and climate policy necessities", says Voigt. "But the survey also shows that people want to be informed early on about wind energy projects in their neighborhoods." They also frequently want opportunities to participate in shaping the project, he adds. 

The energy harvest of German wind millers was within the expected range in November. The monthly target was 96 percent achieved, and the target achievement rate for 2022 remains at 95 percent. Solar energy producers' yields were also close to the monthly target, reaching 104 percent in Germany and 98 percent in Spain in November. Very few hours of sunshine in Italy, however, meant that yields in November were 29 percent below the target value.