Press release: Offshore wind in Germany: Associations and grid operators call for reform
Joint declaration on Strengthening the economic and investment standard location
Berlin, November 10, 2025 – The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO), the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), VDMA Power Systems, and the transmission system operators TenneT, Amprion, and 50Hertz are calling for a reform of the regulatory framework for offshore wind energy. In a joint industry statement, they present concrete measures to enable successful offshore wind auctions. Without decisive political action, Germany risks becoming a less attractive investment location and facing a loss of jobs and added value within the country.
“With clear rules and fair investment conditions, offshore wind energy will remain the backbone of the energy transition,” says BWO Managing Director Stefan Thimm regarding the industry statement. “The BWO, the BDEW, the VDMA, and the grid operators are jointly demonstrating the cost-reduction potential of offshore wind energy. As a first step, we need to postpone the offshore wind tender round to the fourth quarter of 2026. During this time, the government should introduce a revised auction design with bilateral contracts for difference in order to significantly reduce the capital and electricity generation costs of offshore wind energy.”
Reform steps for a stable expansion of offshore wind energy
The joint demand by the BWO, the BDEW, the VDMA, and the grid operators to postpone the tendering round planned for summer 2026 to the fourth quarter of 2026 paves the way for further reforms. This will allow for the introduction of bilateral contracts for difference (CfDs)* as a key financing instrument, which can be effectively supplemented by long-term power purchase agreements.
Crucial is the interplay of all measures proposed in the industry declaration with the introduction of CfDs. This is how offshore wind energy can once again become a predictable and attractive investment field.
Use space efficiently and reduce risks
In addition, the offshore wind industry aims to improve the planning and utilization of offshore areas. The goal is to increase electricity yields and utilize the grid infrastructure more efficiently. In the future, the focus will be more on actual electricity generation, not just installed capacity. Lower turbine density and better coordination between wind farm and grid planning will increase efficiency and reduce risks and costs for residential and industrial customers.
BWO, BDEW, VDMA and the network operators are actively working with the relevant authorities and politicians to jointly design the use of the areas efficiently and to coordinate them optimally.
Further immediate measures for offshore wind in 2026
In addition to postponing the 2026 auctions, reforming the auction design and land use, further immediate measures are intended to secure offshore wind expansion in 2026. Implementing these measures will enable longer refinancing periods and reduce electricity generation costs, while simultaneously creating planning certainty for investors.
The proposals include, among other things, extending the permits for new offshore wind farms to 35 years and introducing a tiered penalty system for delays in operational readiness.
The complete Industry statement by BWO, BDEW, VDMA & network operators can be downloaded here.
About the 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.