German offshore wind developers are advocating for revisions to the country's energy laws, urging better compensation for grid connection delays and more flexibility in construction timelines for offshore wind farms. The German Wind Energy Offshore Association (BWO) has called on legislators to seize the opportunity to enhance investment security and facilitate offshore wind farm expansion as parliamentary debate on the new energy law begins tomorrow.
According to the BWO, rules embedded in the Wind Energy at Sea Act (WindSeeG) are restricting offshore wind development. The association is urging lawmakers to amend the legislation to increase the probability of successful project implementation. The BWO's managing director, Stefan Thimm, emphasized the importance of ensuring that investments in offshore wind farms are financially viable for developers who win bids through auctions. Without sufficient incentives and guarantees, new wind turbines may not be installed at the necessary pace to meet industry demands for green energy and fulfill Germany's offshore wind expansion goals.
The BWO proposes amending the Energy Industry Act to eliminate the current time and financial deductibles, which limit compensation for grid delays. Currently, operators receive only 90% of the lost feed-in tariff or monthly market value for grid connection delays after the 91st day, a measure the BWO seeks to abolish to encourage further investment.
Thimm also highlighted the need for changes to the WindSeeG, including adjustments to construction deadlines, extended timelines to demonstrate technical readiness, and the introduction of a gradual penalty structure. He further called for the elimination of the mandatory revocation of wind farm surcharges, which he argued hinders the sector's growth potential.
By addressing these legislative obstacles, developers believe that offshore wind projects can proceed with greater confidence, ultimately supporting Germany's renewable energy transition.
