German government responds to inquiries on wind energy and temperature-related mortality

The German federal government has addressed inquiries regarding the potential impact of the wind energy industry on regional weather and climate. Following a formal inquiry by the AfD parliamentary group, the government was asked to identify research projects examining how onshore and offshore wind turbines affect local wind speeds and regional climates in Germany and Europe.

As of late 2025, Germany had an installed wind power capacity of 77.807 GW, comprising approximately 31,000 turbines. To meet the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) target of 115 GW by 2030, an additional 8,500 turbines are required. Under the Wind Energy Area Requirements Act, federal states must designate 1.4 percent of their land for wind energy by 2027 and 2 percent by 2032.

In Thuringia, a separate political debate has emerged regarding discrepancies in temperature-related mortality data. Official state statistics often record few or no deaths where heat is listed as the direct cause, whereas mathematical models from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) suggest significantly higher numbers. For 2026, preliminary RKI estimates suggest approximately 310 heat-related deaths in Thuringia, a notable increase compared to previous years.