For the third time this year Germany’s Federal Network Agency has reduced the tender volume available for onshore wind energy from an initial 4093MW to 2708MW.
The German Federal Wind Energy Association (BWE) responded saying it understands the reasons for the first two decreases such as delays in the supply chain for certain components and substation delivery times of 18 months.
However, it argued the latest drop sent the “wrong signal”.
BWE president Bärbel Heidebroek said: “The renewed reduction in the tender volume for the tender round with a deadline of August 1st sends the wrong signal.
“There are currently permits with a total volume of around 5600MW available that could take part in the tender round.
“Wind energy has long since emerged from the valley of tears.
“And the numbers speak for themselves: we set records in the first half of 2024 in terms of both new approvals and tenders. Against this background, cutting the volume is incomprehensible.”
Another reason for the reluctance to tender is the still insufficient grid connection capacity, BWE added, and a lack of commitments for the grid connection prevents project implementation from starting.
The Federal Association for Renewable Energy had already shown in a study in April that the existing network infrastructure can be used much more efficiently by specifically building network connection points, it added.
Heidebroek said: “We urgently appeal to the federal government to make it clear as soon as possible that a change in the law regarding the construction of network connection points is coming this year.
“There would only be winners through the development: It would create a time buffer for network expansion, offer billions in potential savings, would reduce redispatch costs and at the same time make it possible to integrate renewable energy systems in the double-digit gigawatt range into the existing network.
“Time is of the essence.”