The German offshore wind industry is calling for an increase in capacity being auctioned in new tenders, as well as a streamlining of permitting procedures in order to boost the sector and meet ambitious new government targets, after no new capacity was added in 2021.
Planned tendered volumes must be increased “as quickly as possible” and German waters potential must be “fully exploited” the German Wind Energy Association (BWE), the German Offshore Wind Farm Operators Association, the Offshore Wind Energy Foundation, VDMA Power Systems and WAB said.
“The commitment of the traffic light coalition to significantly accelerate the expansion of offshore wind energy is just as correct as the concrete target of at least 30 gigawatts by 2030. This target creates a positive perspective for the entire value chain,” they said in a joint statement.
“Now the grid and area planning for the implementation of the targeted expansion path should be revised without delay,” they added.
In detail, the group has called for construction of 2GW of offshore grid connection systems to start sooner than previously plan in order to boost grid capacity and warned of expansion bottleneck risks at the end of the decade.
A coordinated approach to permitting is also needed between entities responsible for planning and use, species and environmental protection, grid expansion and regulation of offshore wind farms in order to speed up the authorisation process, they said.
They also asked the government to clarify how much offshore wind capacity is needed to support green hydrogen production, amid targets to reach 10GW electrolysis capacity.
Germany had 1501 offshore wind turbines in operation at the end of 2021, accounting for 7.8GW capacity, according to Deutsche WindGuard data.