Actor Consensus

The transmission system operators, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), the federal government and the coastal states have reached an agreement to expand offshore wind energy to 20 GW by 2030.

“We very much welcome this commitment to the 20 GW target. The measures to accelerate network expansion are an important aspect. The fact that there is now an agreement on this is a very good prerequisite for implementing the goals. Nonetheless, one has to say, of course, that we have not made any major progress, ”says Stefan Thimm, Managing Director of the Federal Association of Wind Farm Operators Offshore eV (BWO). "Everyone is in the starting blocks, but the concrete planning can only begin once the expansion goals have been put into law."

In addition to the legal stipulation of 20 GW offshore wind energy by 2030, it must also be ensured that the German offshore wind energy market remains attractive for investors and operators. What has been missing so far is a future-proof model for refinancing renewable energy systems. The BWO therefore advocates the introduction of contracts for difference. These would not only improve the cost efficiency of the further expansion of renewable energies, but, in conjunction with competitive tenders, would also prevent over-funding and ensure that the CO2 reduction targets would be achieved.