windsea Law

Unfortunately, with the legal framework passed today for the further expansion of offshore wind energy, the Federal Government has unfortunately not yet taken the opportunity to ensure that the expansion targets are achieved. Both the investors, who are supposed to provide around 150 billion euros for the expansion, and the value chain, whose investments in production and construction capacities are indispensable, see a considerable need for action.

BWO Managing Director Stefan Thimm: “The coalition has opted for a procedure similar to that used for the auction of mobile phone licenses. Offshore wind farm operators should pay for being allowed to build a wind farm. That didn't work well with mobile networks. In the end, the consumer always pays the bill: prices go up and quality goes down.”

The artificially generated price pressure also weakens the already ailing value chain. Sven Utermöhlen: "Along the entire value chain, many hundreds of millions of euros will have to be invested in production capacities, in the training of specialists and in infrastructure in the coming years. That money is now getting tighter. But the industry will now look ahead and see how best to deal with the new framework conditions.”

A first step towards damage limitation could be the power to issue ordinances for the introduction of industrial electricity prices, which is enshrined in the law. Thimm on this: According to our understanding, it is intended to create a reliable investment framework that can also be used to supply industry with the green electricity it needs from offshore plants.”