Germany’s offshore wind foundation, Stiftung Offshore-Windenergie, marked its 20th anniversary with an event at the British Embassy in Berlin, where policymakers, researchers and industry representatives discussed the sector’s progress and future challenges.
Keynote speaker Jürgen Trittin said the foundation had established itself as “a reliable voice for offshore wind energy,” noting how the industry has evolved rapidly over two decades. “In 20 years, offshore wind energy has developed from an expensive niche technology to a global, competitive key industry,” he said. Trittin added that offshore wind is “a pillar of climate protection and employs 50,000 people in Germany.”
The foundation said it has played a significant role in shaping Germany’s offshore wind expansion since 2005, working on the alpha ventus test field, technical standards, public acceptance and policy frameworks.
Martin Gerhardt of Siemens Gamesa warned that investment delays threaten progress. “In order for offshore wind energy to fulfil its role in the energy transition, we have to act now: The 17 GW of projects that are still awaiting a final investment decision need functioning PPA markets and political support,” he said, adding that “for future projects, the introduction of CfDs (so-called Contracts for Difference) as a proven instrument is crucial.”
Kathryn Boyd from the British Embassy said the UK has long experience in refining its investment environment for offshore wind, a model observers say could offer lessons for Germany.
The foundation said Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy aims to improve planning and investment certainty in the next amendment to the Offshore Wind Energy Act.
Chairwoman Dr Ursula Prall said the foundation intends to maintain its role in advocating stable and predictable conditions for expansion. “In the coming years, the Offshore Wind Energy Foundation will remain a strong voice for a reliable and future-oriented expansion of offshore wind energy,” she said. She added that the organisation will continue to promote “a tender design that is conducive to expansion, stable framework conditions for maintaining the diversity of actors and close cooperation between all stakeholders – nationally, Europe-wide and internationally.”
Prall said such efforts are essential to ensure offshore wind remains “a driver of innovation, a guarantor of security of supply and a driver of a climate-neutral industrial society in the future.”
