Germany’s offshore wind industry is urging the federal government to reform the tendering system following a failed auction and sluggish grid connections projected for 2025, threatening the country’s 2030 offshore wind target.
Industry groups BWE, BWO, VDMA Power Systems, WAB e.V., WindEnergy Network e.V., and the OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE Foundation announced that the absence of bids in the August 2025 tender round and ongoing grid connection delays jeopardize awarded projects and future investments. They caution that without immediate political intervention, Germany risks losing industrial value and hindering the cost-effective expansion of offshore wind power.
“Fifteen years after Alpha Ventus, Germany’s first offshore wind energy project, was grid-connected, the industry sees a pressing need for political reforms following a year of slow expansion and a failed August 2025 tender. The federal government must act promptly to revise the upcoming tendering system in collaboration with the industry,” the organizations stated.
“Rather than focusing on maximizing state revenue, the priority should be project implementation for a secure and cost-effective energy supply. A genuine restart is essential to prevent the loss of European and German value and to achieve necessary expansion for future electricity supply. The UK example illustrates how short-term adjustments can improve framework conditions and lead to successful tenders with high project implementation prospects.”
The call for action accompanies the publication of Germany’s offshore wind expansion figures for 2025, compiled by consultancy Deutsche WindGuard. In the previous year, 41 offshore wind turbines with a total capacity of 518 MW were grid-connected in Germany. Although 65 foundations were set up and 19 additional turbines with 278 MW were built, these have yet to supply power to the grid. By the end of 2025, Germany had installed 1,680 offshore wind turbines, totaling 9.74 GW of capacity.
Due to the failed tender and grid delays, the industry expects only around 20 GW of offshore wind capacity will be grid-connected by 2030, falling short of the 30 GW target. Meeting this target under current conditions is unlikely before 2032. The associations suggest overhauling the tender design to end negative bidding and offer predictable revenues for financing and building projects.
Proposed changes should be implemented by 2026, even if it requires extending deadlines. The industry seeks a revenue model ensuring project realization and investment security within a harmonized European market framework. Suggestions include removing the uncapped bid component, introducing bilateral contracts for difference (CfD) as implemented in the UK, and securing power purchase agreements (PPAs) to lower risks, reduce financing costs, and ensure expansion. Sanctions and security deposits, as well as penalties, must be adjusted to avoid option-based bidding and prevent project cancellations, according to the German industry organizations.
“Industry associations have long criticized the tender design, demanding comprehensive reforms. The August 2025 tender failure validates these criticisms and highlights the urgent need for reform,” the organizations stated. “Changes to the Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG) must not be delayed. Revenue considerations in spatial planning must also be prioritized, such as reducing shadowing effects. The focus should be on cost-efficient energy yield rather than merely the number of turbines or installed capacity. Overall system costs, not just grid costs, should be considered for offshore wind energy.”
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