Germany’s wind energy industry is expecting a slowdown in orders, according to a trade union survey released on Monday.
While nearly 60% of the works council members surveyed last year anticipated a rise in orders, the figure for 2026 has fallen to below 20%.
The findings were reported by IG Metall Küste, the trade union responsible for northern Germany.
Trade union representatives also expect capacity utilization in companies to fall over the next two years. According to the survey, capacity utilization is currently high, standing at 95%. Compared with the previous year, this represents an increase of four percentage points.
Works council members from 34 companies operating in the onshore and offshore sectors took part in the survey conducted by the consultancy firm WMP Consult. IG Metall says around 27,700 employees work in these companies.
IG Metall blamed Economy Minister Katherina Reiche for the shift in sentiment identified in the survey. The union’s regional director Daniel Friedrich added that the results serve as a warning to the federal government, with the threat of a slump in orders and job cuts looming.
The German government approved a reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act and the so-called grid connection package at the end of July.
The legislation is intended to reduce state subsidies and thus lower electricity costs. One point of contention is that compensation is to be partially withdrawn if the grid is unable to absorb surplus electricity from sources such as wind farms.