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The German coastal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern expects wind energy to account for around 40% of its annual electricity consumption within the next few years. Some 100 areas, each of around 100 hectares, have been declared suitable for wind development, but 30 of them have yet to be exploited, says the ministry for labour, construction and development. If these were developed, wind generation in the rural state could rise to around 2.6 TWh, or 40% of consumption, compared with under 25% at present. Offshore development in the Baltic Sea will increase that share further. By the end of 2002, there were 954 turbines operating in the eastern state with a combined capacity of 790 MW. The state's largest conventional power station is a 500 MW coal fired station at Rostock. According to the ministry, in 2004, wind energy in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will be more than double this capacity.