German plan outlines roadmap to 40 GW of offshore wind by 2034

The area development plan defines new wind energy areas that will enable Germany to reach the 40 GW target, and is part of an overall plan for 70 GW of offshore wind by 2045. 

Additional areas for further expansion will be identified for the period from 2034 onwards. The plan indicates that over next four years tenders for a total of 12 GW of offshore wind capacity will be brought to market. 

BSH president Helge Heegewaldt said, “We have reached an important milestone. In addition, we have secured the space to achieve the 70 GW expansion target by 2045.

“This is based on a comprehensive strategic environmental assessment, accompanied by far-reaching mitigation measures to protect nature during the construction, operation and decommissioning.”

The new areas that have been designated for offshore wind were identified via a trilateral coordination process with Denmark and the Netherlands.

However, whilst welcoming the new plan, BWO managing director Stefan Thimm said there had been too little consultation around it. “I welcome the fact that the BSH has heard our call for the division of larger areas in the new area development plan. This will have a positive effect on the diversity of players that can bid, and promote healthy competition,” he said.

Referring to the issue of wind wakes from new windfarms and their potential effect on other windfarms in their vicinity – an issue addressed in the coordination process with Denmark and The Netherlands – Mr Thimm said, “The power density of the windfarms on areas that will soon be put to tender is also good news. It will enable new projects and the offshore windfarms in their ‘slipstream’ to harvest more wind energy and increase the amount of electricity from offshore wind in the North Sea.”

Mr Thimm criticized a decision to reduce the capacity included in this year’s auction process, which has been reduced by 1 GW. “The industry needs more planning security,” he said. “The medium-term outlook is also a step backwards in terms of planning security. 

“While the draft area development plan still provides for areas with 60 GW of capacity by 2037, the current plan, for 20 GW, is several years behind schedule,” he explained. “This is a problem for the urgently needed ramp-up of the supply chain and makes investment decisions more difficult. It reduces the chances of added value and job creation in Germany and Europe.

“It is important that this outlook is expanded quickly and that the legal target of at least 70 GW by 2045 remains stable across legislative periods. Anyone who thinks about installing fewer gigawatts is reducing the amount of clean, competitive electricity from the North Sea and Baltic that would otherwise be available for the decarbonization of the economy and society.”