Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has released the final version of its offshore wind area development plan, outlining the locations for future offshore wind farms and outlining the process for tendering the areas, connecting the wind farms to the onshore power grid, and regulating the technical principles for the connection lines.
The plan also includes environmental reports from a strategic environmental assessment, which assess the potential impact of the plan on the marine environment.
The area development plan serves as the foundation for reaching a 30 GW expansion goal by 2030 and enacts the recent offshore wind energy law effective January 1st.
Additionally, the plan allows the BSH to fulfill the obligations outlined in the offshore implementation agreement between the government, states, and transmission system operators dated November 3rd, 2022.
“With the early implementation of the increased offshore expansion targets in the area development plan, the BSH is making an important contribution to the accelerated energy transition. At the same time, updating the technical plan ensures the upcoming ambitious expansion of offshore wind energy and the necessary coordination with the grid connection,” said the head of the Order of the Sea department at the BSH, Dr Nico Nolte.
