Extension Volume

• A total of 1.351 systems with 6.658 MW connected to the grid | 42 plants with 252 MW new to the grid | 679 MW under construction
• Increase in electricity production from offshore wind compared to the same period of the previous year of around 30 percent
• Finally anchoring the expansion volume to at least 20 GW by 2030 and at least 30 GW by 2035 in law, thus creating long-term framework conditions
• Allocation of a special contribution of up to 2 GW necessary

On behalf of the German wind industry associations, Deutsche WindGuard today published the expansion figures for offshore wind energy in the first half of 2019 for Germany. With an addition of 252 MW and 42 plants, the industry is still on track to date. A total of 1.351 offshore wind turbines with 6.658 MW are currently connected to the grid. In the first half of 2019, the share of renewable energies in electricity generation was 47,6 percent; Compared to the first six months of the previous year, offshore wind recorded an increase of around 30 percent.

The industry representatives from BWE, BWO, Stiftung OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE, VDMA Power Systems and WAB comment on the half-year figures as follows: “The offshore industry is delivering as expected and in recent years - as we announced - it has moved more and more towards a foundation of Energy transition developed. Power from offshore wind energy is very reliable and competitive. "

The industry representatives further explained: “The positive development of the value chain in the past few years is, however, significantly disrupted by a thread breakage that has now occurred. The 7,7 gigawatt cap by 2020 has almost been reached. The framework conditions for implementing projects are missing for the years thereafter. In order to maintain the technological leadership of Germany as a wind industry location, to no longer jeopardize added value and to ensure that the climate protection targets are achieved by 2030, the industry now needs reliable, long-term framework conditions. This includes raising the expansion targets and carrying out a special tender this year, which includes the converter capacities that are still available. "

Raise expansion targets and carry out network optimization measures

The expansion targets must be raised to at least 20 gigawatts (GW) of installed offshore capacity by 2030 and at least 30 GW by 2035 in the German parts of the North and Baltic Seas. The published in June Network study by WP & More Consulting and the law firm GGSC proves that the expansion of renewable energies in Germany does not have to be slowed down due to delayed grid expansion. In addition, the Federal Government should - as provided for in the Electricity Networks Action Plan - give priority to the expansion of the large transmission networks and at the same time promote Power-to-X solutions.

Secure technology leadership and investments in German locations

A reliable framework and ambitious expansion goals are necessary so that investments in German locations are worthwhile again and jobs are secured. A gap in expansion that threatens from 2020 cannot be dealt with in terms of industrial policy. “Germany should take a leading position again. That is why the announced special tender must be implemented promptly, ”explain the industry representatives. A higher production volume of the manufacturers increases the competitiveness of the German locations, secures the perspective of the companies along the entire value chain and enables the realization of the export potential on the growing world market. The special contribution from offshore wind energy provided for in the coalition agreement must come now. With a contribution of up to 2 GW, the free converter capacities can be used economically. Concrete legislative steps must be taken immediately after the summer break.

The importance of the wind industry in Germany in international comparison must be strengthened again, because innovations are the central unique selling point of the European wind industry. An efficient research landscape as well as pre-competitive cooperation are crucial for European manufacturers and suppliers. The associations declare: "We very much welcome the decision of the Bundestag for the test field in the Baltic Sea for systems of the next generation and the next but one." The enormous potential of offshore wind power to achieve the climate targets should also be raised on a pan-European level, such as the plans for Illustrate the construction of wind energy distribution hubs in the North Sea.

Great expectations of the federal government's climate cabinet

The establishment of the climate cabinet underscores the need for action in terms of an efficient climate policy. “We welcome the fact that the Climate Cabinet has made the cross-departmental measures to implement the Climate Protection Plan 2050 its task. In order to achieve the climate goals, binding targets for the individual sectors as well as the necessary legal regulations are essential ", the industry representatives agree and add:" We expect quick decisions and measures to limit the damage caused by the expansion gap as well as the rapid increase in the expansion paths for the Wind energy. Otherwise we will not achieve the climate targets! "