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  • Press Release: Implementation of expansion targets for offshore wind energy - planning alone is not enough!

    > 2022 Kaskasi (342 MW) in operation - Arcadis Ost 1 (247 MW) under construction

    > Expansion targets for offshore wind energy increase worldwide and across Europe

    > Less than eight years to install around 22 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity in Germany

    > Urgent need to build capacity for the German and European energy transition (supply industry, ports, shipbuilding, skilled workers)

    > Need for adjustment in WindSeeG (offshore wind law)

    Berlin, Bremerhaven, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Rostock, January 16, 2023 - Today, the expansion figures for offshore wind energy 2022 were presented by the German offshore wind industry. According to the figures, 38 offshore wind turbines with a capacity of 342 MW were connected to the grid for the first time in the Kaskasi project last year. This means that a total of 1,539 offshore wind turbines with a total capacity of 8,100 MW feed electricity into the German North Sea and Baltic Sea. In addition, all 27 foundations for Arcadis Ost 1 were installed by the end of the year, nine of which have already been equipped with offshore wind turbines. Arcadis Ost 1 is expected to be completed and commissioned in the current year. In the coming years, Deutsche WindGuard expects higher rates of new construction for the industry. The projects for realization of the 2023-tenders will take place as of 2028, with a total of 8,800 MW being tendered.

     "To achieve the expansion targets by 2030, 22 gigawatts (GW) must be installed offshore in Germany in less than eight years. In Europe, a total of around 150 GW of wind energy capacity is to be installed during this period. The industry therefore expects a significant increase from 2025 and especially towards the end of the 2030 expansion target, which requires industrial feasibility. A steady and even expansion path is needed to build stable supply chains and a future-oriented expansion of manufacturing capacities. The production capacities and skilled workers needed to achieve the expansion targets have been lacking to a substantial degree to date. A plan alone is not enough here. Together with politicians, we must immediately create a realistic basis for the implementation of the expansion targets for offshore wind energy for electricity and green hydrogen," urge the industry organizations BWE, BWO, Stiftung OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE, VDMA Power Systems, WAB e.V. and WindEnergy Network e.V..

    In order to secure the targets, adjustments to the WindSeeG are also necessary. The bidding component introduced in the WindSeeG 2022 increases the risks for investors and burdens electricity customers with additionally rising prices. This is because it is clear that offshore wind farm operators will have to earn back the bid component. The Ukraine war has painfully shown how important diversity of players is. However, there is no safeguard mechanism in the current tender design to ensure this. The maximum amount of expansion to be subsidized per bidder and year should be limited.  "Due to the large volume of the tenders, the government and industry must work hand in hand right from the start to avoid subsequent improvements. This also relates to preserving the diversity of players among project developers," the industry organisations said.

    The tenders that will make order entries possible for the supplier industry are still pending. Orders are needed to enable the "ramp-up" of the offshore wind industry for the German market and the necessary investments in production and supply chain, infrastructure and logistics. "With a growth of the offshore wind supply chain, immense value creation potentials open up, in addition to a cost-effective energy supply and greater security of supply for Europe. In addition, long-term and future-oriented employment prospects are also offered. These must be realized in addition to the necessary climate protection," the industry organizations emphasize the current need for political action.

    In 2022, significantly less than one gigawatt was built. Many German suppliers are busy processing orders for the international offshore wind market. Another bottleneck is the materials required for component construction for offshore wind turbines. In addition to the lack of industrial capacities for the expansion of offshore wind energy, port infrastructures are required as well as a significant increase in the supply of German shipyards for the construction of foundation structures, transformer and converter platforms, special ships for service & maintenance and for erection.

    Achieving the expansion targets for offshore wind in Germany of at least 30 GW by 2030, between 40 and 50 GW by 2035 and at least 70 GW by 2045 requires decisive political action. The realization agreement for more offshore wind energy in November 2022 defined milestones for the necessary grid expansion, which the industry views positively.

    The production of green hydrogen at sea is still in its infancy and requires the necessary regulatory framework to enable the development of concrete business models. Only in this way can the defined ramp-up of hydrogen production from offshore wind energy through tenders of at least 500 MW per year from 2023 succeed.

    "The offshore wind industry needs a major training and qualification offensive supported by the German government, easy investment and financing conditions and the promotion of new production capacities that provide the necessary liquidity in the manufacturing industry, as well as internationally fair competitive conditions. Europe must find a strong, joint response to the measures of the US Inflation Reduction Act in particular," explain the industry organizations. With regard to the need for skilled workers, the associations would like to see more freedom of movement for workers across EU borders and an effective immigration policy.

    About the commissioners of the annual figures "Status of offshore wind energy expansion in Germany"

    About the German Windenergy Association (BWE)
    The German Windenergy Association (BWE) is partner to over 3,000 companies in the wind energy industry and represents the interests of about 20,000 members. The entire know-how of a multifaceted industry is pooled through BWE.

    About Bundesverband der Windparkbetreiber Offshore e.V. (BWO)
    The association of German offshore wind farm operators (BWO) represents all companies that plan, construct and operate offshore wind farms in Germany. The BWO is the central contact on all questions concerning offshore wind energy.

    About the German Foundation OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY
    The foundation’s overall purpose is to consolidate the role of offshore wind energy in the energy mix of the future in Germany and Europe and to promote its expansion in the interests of environmental and climate protection. It has established itself as a non-partisan, supra-regional and independent communication platform for the entire offshore wind energy sector.

    About VDMA Power Systems
    The trade association VDMA Power Systems and its working groups represent the interests of manufacturers and suppliers of power and heat generation plants.

    About WAB e.V.
    Bremerhaven-based WAB is the nationwide contact partner for the offshore wind industry in Germany and the leading business network for onshore wind energy in the north-west region. The association fosters the production of “green” hydrogen from wind energy. It comprises some 250 SMEs as well as institutes from all sectors of the wind and maritime industry as well as research.

    About Wind Energy Network e.V  
    About WindEnergy Network e.V. (WEN) WEN is the leading business network for wind energy in the northeast region with currently about 100 member companies. The aim is to expand the industrial base and regional value creation in the future sector of renewable energies. Thematic focal points are onshore and offshore wind energy, maritime technologies in connection with offshore wind and the development of green hydrogen.

    Press contacts: 

    Bundesverband der Windparkbetreiber Offshore e.V.
    Natalie Schorr-Erhardt
    Tel. +49 176 466 464 53
    n.schorr-erhardt@bwo-offshorewind.de

    Bundesverband WindEnergie e.V.
    Frank Grüneisen
    Tel. +49 30 212341-253
    f.grueneisen@wind-energie.de

    Stiftung OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE
    Marlen Sunnyi Bohne
    Tel. +49 162 439 86 53
    m.bohne@offshore-stiftung.de

    VDMA Power Systems
    Beatrix Fontius
    Tel. +49 69 6603-1886
    beatrix.fontius@vdma.org

    WAB e.V.
    Thorsten Preis
    Tel. +49 173 238 28 02
    thorsten.preis@wab.net

    Wind Energy Network e.V.
    Andree Iffländer
    Tel. +49 381 377 19 254
    ifflaender@wind-energy-network.de

    230116_PM_Offshore-Ausbauzahlen 2023_EN.pdf
    Status des Offshore-Windenergieausbaus_Jahr 2022.pdf

  • “German Chapter OffshoreWind4Kids”: German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation, Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, DNV and Northland Power Europe agree on cooperation with OffshoreWind4Kids

    On March 23, 2022, William Beuckelaers, managing director of OffshoreWind4Kids, DNV, Northland Power Europe (NPE), the Competence Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CC4E) at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) and the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation signed an agreement in Hamburg on a cooperation with OffshoreWind4Kids within the framework of “German Chapter for OffshoreWind4Kids”.

    The focus of the cooperation will be on activities to promote interest in technical issues of offshore wind energy among children and young people.

    OffshoreWind4Kids teaches children and young people about engineering, technologies and renewable energies in a playful way using miniature offshore wind turbines. With the help of construction kit systems developed by William Beuckelaers of "OffshoreWind4Kids", children and young people – boys and girls alike – can be enthused about technical issues and any inhibition thresholds can be reduced. The “OffshoreWind4Kids” initiative was first brought to Germany by DNV and has subsequently found further supporters here.

    20220323_Press Release MOU Offshore Wind 4 Kids_EN_final.pdf

  • 21.01.2021 - Fact Sheet Status of Offshore Wind Energy Development in Germany in 2020

    At the end of 2020, 1,501 offshore wind turbines with a capacity of 7,770 MW were feeding into the German electricity grid. The current expansion stage was completed with the commissioning of 32 offshore wind turbines with a capacity of 219 MW. In addition, power upgrades were completed on a number of existing turbines. Since there are no offshore wind projects in construction, no capacity additions are expected for the upcoming year 2021. By 2025, it is projected that offwhore wind energy projects will reach a cumulative capacity of 10,8 GW.

    Status of Offshore Wind Energy Development_Year 2020.pdf

  • 20.02.2020 - Global Offshore Wind Report

    The annual Global Offshore Wind Report, published by the World Forum Offshore Wind (WFO), provides an overview of global offshore wind development. Among other important developments, 2019 was the first-ever year to see the addition of over 5 Gigawatt of offshore capacity.

    WFO_Global-Offshore-Wind-Report-2019.pdf

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