• The BWO welcomes the reduction in area and a partially lower power density
• Setbacks in planning security unsettle the value chain
• Long-term expansion target of at least 70 gigawatts must be maintained

Berlin, January 30, 2025. The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) comments on the publication of the Site Development Plan (FEP) 2025 by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The FEP forms the central basis for site planning and regulates the details of the legally stipulated expansion of offshore wind energy in Germany.

"I welcome the fact that the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency has listened to our wish for a division of larger areas in the new area development plan. This can have a positive effect on the diversity of actors and promote healthy competition," says BWO Managing Director Stefan Thimm.

Better wind harvest through lower power density

The BWO also supports the decision to put out to tender new areas with a lower power density. This measure will enable the wind farms in the areas that will soon be put out to tender as well as the neighboring offshore wind farms to harvest more wind, thereby increasing overall electricity generation from offshore wind.

Criticism of cuts and lack of planning security

The BWO criticizes significant setbacks in planning security. One day before the start of this year's auction, the capacity to be installed in the areas up for tender was reduced by one gigawatt. This reduction makes investment decisions more difficult and delays the necessary expansion of offshore wind energy.

The medium-term perspective is also cause for concern. While the draft area development plan envisaged an expansion capacity of 60 GW by 2037, the current plan, at 40 GW by 2035, falls well short of this. This makes it more difficult to ramp up the supply chain and reduces the chances of more added value and jobs in Germany and Europe. Long-term expansion targets must remain stable in order to ensure investment security. "Anyone who thinks about installing fewer gigawatts is reducing the amount of clean and competitive electricity from the North and Baltic Seas that will be reliably available for the decarbonization of the economy and society," criticizes Thimm.

Regulations on development without consultation

The BWO also criticizes the fact that new regulations on building on land were introduced without prior consultation. The operators of offshore wind farms have their own interest in using land efficiently and effectively. Before making any further decisions of this kind, the BWO therefore calls for an open exchange with the industry.

Background: The Area Development Plan (FEP)

The site development plan (FEP) is the central technical plan for the orderly expansion of offshore wind turbines and their connecting lines in the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The current update is intended in particular to achieve the legal expansion targets of at least 40 GW by 2035 and at least 70 GW by 2045.

The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO)

The Federal Association for Offshore Wind Energy (BWO) is the political lobby for the offshore wind industry in Germany. We pool the technical expertise of companies along the entire value chain, from manufacturers to developers and operators to offshore wind energy service providers. For politicians and authorities at federal and state level, the BWO is the central contact for all questions relating to offshore wind energy.