A job in the offshore wind sector in Germany leads to almost two-and-a-half additional jobs in the value chain, according to a new study by the Federal Ministry of Economics.
The study, which looked at the maritime sector’s impact on job creation, said a single job in offshore wind generates 2.4 other jobs.
The analysis also covered shipbuilding, shipping, ports and fishing.
The study ‘Maritime Value Creation and Employment in Germany’ was carried out on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics by a consortium consisting of ISL, Fraunhofer CML, ETR and DIW Econ.
Federal Association of Wind Farm Operators Offshore (BWO) managing director Stefan Thimm (pictured) said: “The figures show what we have known for a long time: the offshore wind industry has developed into an important driver of our economy.
“It provides employment and added value not only in the coastal countries, but also in the south and west of Germany.
“The second-round effects of the offshore wind industry are very high, which also underlines the importance of the entire value chain.
“The fact that there is currently almost no offshore expansion in Germany is all the more worrying.”
Thimm said that the industry has already shrunk slightly and Germany’s pioneering position in international competition is at risk:
He said: “The more domestic expansion stagnates, the more domestic industry will orientate itself abroad.
“We see great growth in our European neighbours, but also in non-European markets such as China and the US.
“If we don’t do our best now, then we can forget our former pioneering role.”