Tomorrow at 00:00 a.m. (CET) the bidding period for the first tender for the areas in the offshore wind energy sector that have not been centrally pre-examined ends.

“The political decision of the last year to also put out to tender the areas that were not centrally pre-examined was an important and correct step. As a result, the implementation was faster, the expansion speed was noticeably increased and the expansion goals can probably be achieved in the set time frame," says BWO Managing Director Stephen Thimm. 

However, the tender design still leaves room for criticism: The uncapped bid component increases the financing costs of the projects, which has a direct negative impact on consumers' electricity costs.

Stephen Thimm: “For the evaluation of the tender result we look at three factors. First, it is important that multiple players can win a contract. Otherwise there is a risk of restrictions in competition. Secondly, it is important whether the procedure was carried out legally and correctly. I am very optimistic about this, because the authorities involved have already gained some experience with tenders for renewable energies. Last but not least, it is important that the costs for the bids do not become too high. Because in the end, consumers have to pay for the bid component through their electricity prices.”

"For the future, however, we must not be satisfied with this: the federal government must create good industrial policy instruments as soon as possible in order to ensure the actual and timely realization of the projects," adds Thimm added.