Quantifying the Econonimic Impact of the Wind Energy Industry in Germany

The wind energy industry is one of the main growth engines of the green economy. The study provides the basis for a well-balanced assessment of the costs associated with the promotion of renewable energies on the one hand and the economic benefits of the wind energy industry in terms of growth, employment and innovative capacity on the other hand. As wind energy is a very decentralised industry, we also assess the regional economic impact for different German regions.
The analysis is founded upon a regional input-output and multiplier analysis that rests on the input-output analysis of the Federal Statistical Office but is adapted in a novel approach to the specific structural conditions of different regions. As such, the model robustly quantifies the economic impact of the wind energy industry with respect to gross value added, employment and public revenue. For each of these indicators, the direct, indirect and induced effects are reported.
The results show that the wind energy industry creates substantial economic value added in the investigated regions. Investments into and operation of wind energy plants lead to a significant overall effects in Germany (i.e. including direct, indirect and induced effects) on gross value added of EUR 14.5 bn as well as providing roughly 160.000 jobs.