German authorities have confirmed the suitability of three North Sea offshore wind areas totalling 5500MW to be put up for tender this year.
Federal maritime and hydrographic agency BSH said the N-9.1, N-9.2 and N-9.3 zones have passed muster and can be auctioned off.
The milestone was passed with the issuing of the fourth WindSeeV regulations and the tender will be held by BNetzA later this year.
Area N-9.1 covers 158 square kilometres with an installed capacity of 2GW. It is located approximately 98km off the Dutch island of Ameland and 107km off the German island of Borkum.
Area N-9.2 covers 157 square kilometres with an installed capacity of 2GW. It is located approximately 101km from the nearest island, Ameland. The nearest German island of Borkum is about 111km away.
Area N-9.3 has a size of 106 square kilometres and it was determined the capacity to be installed is 1.5GW.
The shortest distance to the nearest island Rottumerplaat is about 108km.
BSH president Helge Heegewaldt said: “With the entry into force of the fourth WindSeeV, the BSH is giving the offshore industry planning and legal certainty for the construction of three wind farms with an installed capacity of 5500MW in the North Sea.
“We are thus reaching another major milestone on the way to the Federal Republic of Germany’s 70GW target.”