Aspects of newly updated legislation affecting the development of offshore windfarms in Germany have been well-received but not everyone is equally pleased by it
An amendment to the Wind Energy at Sea Act (WindSeeG) passed 7 July 2022 by the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, has been welcomed by industry body WAB, but concern continues to be expressed by another trade body about whether ambitious targets for offshore wind capacity are achievable without greater support for the supply chain.
An amendment providing for the introduction of qualitative criteria in the tendering process for offshore wind was welcomed by wind industry association WAB, which said it would help make the German supply chain more sustainable.
WAB said the introduction of qualitative criteria was ‘an important step’ but bemoaned the fact the criteria won’t apply to all offshore wind projects. It also welcomed plans to produce green hydrogen using renewable electricity from offshore wind.
WAB managing director Heike Winkler said, “From the very beginning of discussions about the amendments to WindSeeG we advocated for the adoption of qualitative criteria. We will continue to campaign for the criteria to be applied to all areas and along the entire value chain.”
But the BWO, the Federal Association of Windfarm Operators, said the legislation passed on 7 July does not do enough help the supply chain. It said the supply chain – which needs to invest in production capacity – needs more support if Germany’s new, higher targets for offshore wind are to be met.
BWO chairman Sven Utermöhlen said, “Many hundreds of millions of euros need to be invested in the supply chain, in production capacity, in training and infrastructure. But the availability of that money is getting tighter.”
