Saxony Has the Second-Lowest Number of Wind Turbines Among Germany's Non-City States

When compared to other large German states, Saxony has the second-fewest wind turbines. This is according to an analysis by the Wind and Solar Agency commissioned by the German Wind Energy Association (BWE) and the VDMA Power Systems Association. According to the report, there were 844 wind turbines with a total capacity of 1,435 megawatts (MW) in Saxony as of June. Only Saarland had fewer (218), though it is a good seven times smaller than Saxony. 

By far the largest number of wind turbines is located in Lower Saxony (6,251 turbines with a capacity of 14,322 megawatts). One-fifth of Germany’s wind energy comes from that state. Saxony accounts for only 2 percent. The analysis considered only onshore wind turbines.

Wind power capacity increased by 11 MW

In the first half of the year, six new wind turbines with a capacity of 36 MW went into operation in Saxony, while 21 turbines with a capacity of 24.6 MW were decommissioned. Consequently, wind power capacity grew by 11 MW. In a comparison of Germany’s larger states, Saxony thus ranks in the bottom third. North Rhine-Westphalia leads the expansion with 502 MW. Saxony-Anhalt ranks last, with a decline of 50 MW.

Saxony’s wind turbines are also comparatively old: 42 percent were installed before 2005. With an average age of 21 years, the installed base is the oldest among the federal states.

In contrast, there was a significant surge in approvals for new turbines in Saxony. By June, 312 MW had been approved—a good 100 MW more than in all of 2025.

Ministry Announced Expansion

The Saxon Ministry of Energy recently announced its intention to significantly catch up in the expansion of wind energy. According to the announcement, 139 additional wind turbines with a total capacity of 882 megawatts were in the permitting process as of early June. A noticeable increase in electricity generation from wind power is therefore expected in the coming years.

According to the report, only 0.3 percent of the state’s land area was used or designated for wind energy. Saxony is thus lagging significantly behind the national targets: By 2027, 1.3 percent of Saxony’s land area is to be designated for wind energy, and by 2032, two percent.