The German Bundesrat, a legislative body that represents Germany's 16 regions at the national level, has approved amendments to a general administrative regulation that will stop lights continually flashing on wind turbines to warn aircraft.

German economics minister Peter Altmaier said the approval is a further step on the way to having turbines only lighting up when an aircraft is nearby.

He said: “We are close to our goal: the blinking of wind turbines will soon be over. This also reduces the burden on residents.”

Altmaier (pictured) has put forward a wind action plan that aims to reinvigorate the German wind energy sector, which declined last year.

One of the measures in the plan is the introduction of night markings for wind turbines.

The next step is for the federal cabinet, the Bundeskabinett, to approve the lighting changes, after which the new rule will come into force.