Ironically, in the important wind region of northwestern Germany, the expansion of wind power is faltering - due to unprocessed applications for heavy transports. According to a report in the newspaper "Bild am Sonntag", around 15,000 applications are unprocessed at the regional branch of the state-owned Autobahn GmbH. No more applications should be accepted there until July.
The Federal Ministry of Transport confirmed to the newspaper a "backlog in the processing of applications" in the area of East Frisia to Hesse. The reasons for this are a complex approval procedure and the massive increase in the number of applications. According to the newspaper, 150 permits are required to transport the components of a wind turbine.
Transport State Secretary Oliver Luksic (FDP) announced a significant acceleration of approvals. This included fewer escort vehicles and permanent permits.