Germany’s offshore wind industry has raised concerns over proposed regulatory changes that would introduce feed-in charges for electricity producers, warning the move could undermine investor confidence and delay the country’s energy transition.
The German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) is currently developing a revised model for grid charges. One option under consideration would require offshore wind operators to contribute financially to the use of transmission infrastructure—costs that are currently not levied on generators.
The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) criticised the proposal, arguing it risks discouraging investment in new offshore wind projects at a time when the sector is critical to meeting national climate and energy targets.
“The offshore wind industry is already the only generation technology contributing to grid expansion,” said Stefan Thimm, managing director of the BWO. “To now also demand feed-in charges is not only systematically wrong – it is a step backward in energy and industrial policy. Anyone who drives away investors is jeopardising Germany’s future viability as an energy location.
The association warned that declining interest in recent tenders reflects growing uncertainty in the sector. “The results of recent auctions speak volumes: participation is declining. In the future, bids may not be received at all,” the BWO said in a statement. “The result: the legally mandated expansion is in jeopardy, and the supply chain cannot deliver the expected value creation and jobs.
The BWO urged the federal government to prioritise investment stability and long-term policy clarity to ensure offshore wind can contribute effectively to decarbonisation and energy security.
