Key figures for offshore wind energy
Current press releases
WindSeeG in the Bundesrat: 5 BWO recommendations for the WindSeeG amendment
In its current form, the WindSeeG neither provides the right incentives for investments in offshore wind projects nor for decarbonizing the industry. We therefore urgently advise taking the focus away from the so-called "bid component" and giving greater consideration to the system benefits of the electricity produced offshore from the outset. The Federal Council also calls for the latter in its statement.
Think about system integration – ensure security of supply
The current WindSeeG amendment now offers the opportunity to think about the system integration of the electricity produced offshore at an early stage. The Federal Government should not let this opportunity pass. We therefore propose that in future the system integration of electricity from offshore wind farms should be stimulated by means of an additional tendering criterion.
Current WindSeeG draft neglects industrial policy
The critical phase has begun with the parliamentary procedure. The members of parliament now also decide how attractive Germany is as a business location in an international comparison. We are convinced that there will still be a lot of movement in the coming weeks – things must move in order to get the planned acceleration of offshore expansion off the ground.
Offshore wind energy - on the fly
The Federal Association of Wind Farm Operators Offshore eV (BWO)
is the federal association of all companies that plan, build and operate wind farms in Germany. We are thus pooling the strength and know-how for a successful energy transition in Germany and Europe. The BWO was initially founded in early 2015 as the offshore wind working group (AGOW) and now has 20 members. At the end of 2021, our members in Germany had 1.501 systems connected to the grid with an installed capacity of around 7,8 gigawatts (GW).
Offshore wind is a top performer in the mix of renewables
Offshore wind is a cornerstone of energy security. Germany benefits from its natural conditions. The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are unique in their combination of the best wind conditions and low water depths. That is why the yield of a system there is about twice as high as on land. The systems generate energy around 363 days a year. With increasing electricity consumption and an optimal expansion of renewable energies, according to Fraunhofer IWES, offshore wind can provide around 2050 percent of the electricity demand in Germany in 30.
Offshore wind is getting cheaper and cheaper.
Since 2012, the cost of offshore wind has fallen by up to 50 percent. The first wind farm operators have completely dispensed with EEG fixed remuneration for particularly well-located wind farms with their bids. You want to finance yourself exclusively through electricity trading. After more than a decade of technology development and market launch, the costs for climate-friendly and sustainable electricity from wind power at sea are at a similar level to newly built gas, coal or nuclear power plants.