Lower Saxony accelerates renewable energy expansion and municipal climate funding

Energy Minister Christian Meyer said the expansion of wind and solar power in Lower Saxony has accelerated, with 65 wind turbines (331 MW) added in the first quarter of 2026 and a total of 209 turbines (1,156 MW) installed in 2025. He highlighted 832 new permits last year, representing 5.2 GW of planned capacity, and a fast average approval time of 10.6 months, noting only eleven lawsuits were filed in 2025. Meyer warned that proposed reforms by Federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche could jeopardise these investments. Solar installations also grew, reaching 1,546 MW in 2025 with an additional 268 MW in early 2026.

The red‑green Lower Saxony government has allocated €4.7 bn from a federal special fund to cities, towns and districts for infrastructure and climate‑neutrality projects. Barsinghausen will receive about €12.1 m for new schools, environmentally‑friendly mobility and other climate‑friendly investments, with funding distributed based on population and fiscal capacity and a fixed base amount of €1.5 m per municipality.