“With the draft of the ordinance for other energy generation areas, the starting shot has been given for the production of hydrogen at sea. We expressly welcome that things are starting now and that the vision of the future is finally becoming a reality.

Currently, however, only the allocation of a single area in the North Sea is de facto regulated. This means that additional areas for other energy generation must be designated quickly.

The current proposal that successful projects can still apply for funding is generally to be assessed positively. However, it is important that this program is expanded and consolidated so that the projects can also be implemented economically.

A regulatory framework for the approval of the electrolysers and the possible connection via a hydrogen pipeline must also be created quickly. According to the current state of knowledge, transporting green hydrogen by ship is unnecessarily expensive and complicated. Alternatives could and should be created in a timely manner. "

(Stefan Thimm, Managing Director BWO eV)

Background: The ordinance describes qualitative criteria for the allocation of the areas intended for hydrogen production. With the amendment of the Wind Energy Offshore Act at the end of 2020, the possibility was created to identify areas for other energy generation and to issue a corresponding authorization to issue ordinances for the award mechanism. The BMWi had asked the associations and federal states to consult the ministerial draft of the ordinance on the allocation of other energy generation areas in the exclusive economic zone (other energy generation areasV) by August 25th. You can find the BWO statement here.