Sector associations of the German offshore wind industry and the non-profit German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation have published expansion figures for 2024 and called on the government for greater planning capacity for the sector.

The consulting firm Deutsche WindGuard, responsible for compiling these data, concluded that during this period, a total of 73 offshore wind turbines with a capacity of 742 MW were connected to the electricity grid for the first time in Germany.

By the end of 2024, a total of 1,639 turbines with a capacity of 9.2 GW were installed in Germany. By year’s end, 66 foundations had been installed, and 81 wind turbines had been erected that had not yet supplied electricity to the grid.

Obstacles to the 30 GW target

Delays in grid expansion and legal flexibility for the completion of offshore wind farms are hindering the achievement of the 30 GW expansion target by 2031. However, the goal of at least 40 GW by 2035 will be met one year earlier. This requires predictable framework conditions for the sector.

Sector organizations BWE, BWO, VDMA Power Systems, WAB eV, WindEnergy Network eV, and the OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE Foundation point out that “the expansion of offshore wind energy is about to take a decisive turn. The new German government has all the possibilities to stabilize and improve the framework conditions in such a way that investment security is guaranteed while also achieving the climate goals. This includes, among other things, a reliably defined expansion path – as legally agreed, at least 70 GW by 2045 – with attractive zones and a reform of the auction design for offshore wind projects.”

Change in offshore wind auction design

The current practice of offshore wind auctions is not aligned with the necessary expansion to drive the sector forward, as the excessive focus on state revenue increases electricity costs and places significant financial pressure on the supply chain.

A reformed auction design should, therefore, align as much as possible with a harmonized European framework, aiming to create conditions that favor competitive electricity prices. Additionally, it is crucial to strengthen the European value chain and boost innovation within the industry, which would help improve the global competitiveness of the sector.

For projects to succeed and materialize with high probability, it is essential to reduce risks and secure investments. This also involves preserving the diversity of actors within the market, which would foster a more dynamic and stable environment. In this way, the significant value creation potential offered by offshore wind energy can be harnessed, mobilizing the necessary investments, worth billions, and providing reliability for project sponsors.

Focusing on energy infrastructure security

The increasing importance of offshore wind energy projects for energy supply also raises the need to better protect critical maritime infrastructures. Therefore, the German government must take swift action to ensure the physical security of offshore wind turbines and their associated grid connections.

This includes clarifying responsibilities, conducting training exercises with the federal police or state maritime police, and implementing a well-known emergency contact number. It is also essential to ensure the cybersecurity of the installations through political measures, such as the effective implementation of NIS2 or the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

Modernized ports

The rapid expansion of offshore wind energy requires modernized, expanded, and efficient ports. Sufficient heavy-load areas, which can also be used for onshore wind energy, are needed for the assembly, logistics, and maintenance of offshore wind turbines. This is a task that concerns the entire state. Therefore, the federal government must take on greater responsibility in the upcoming legislative period and support the expansion or modernization of heavy-load areas in ports that are essential for the energy transition.

Reliability for investors

Reliable expansion targets are central to the long-term planning of the sector and the expansion of offshore wind energy projects.

According to the signing organizations, the federal government still has the obligation to secure the necessary offshore wind energy areas for the long-term expansion trajectory established by law and to provide a reliable expansion outlook to achieve the climate goals for 2030 and beyond, as well as to secure value creation potential.

The new surface development plan from the responsible federal office offers less clarity regarding the 20 GW expansion until the mid-2030s, compared to the previous version. The new government must provide this clarity immediately. The spatial potential, including cooperation with neighboring countries, must be utilized efficiently.