German offshore wind sector appeals for more consistency in expansion plans

Aug 6, 2013 - Companies and state officials have called on the German government to be more consistent in its plans to expand offshore wind power, which is a key element of the country's ongoing transition to green energy.

The appeal, issued at a round-table meeting in Hamburg on Tuesday, results from concerns about the lack of investments in offshore wind parks and delays largely caused by disputes over financial risk-sharing.

Berlin aims at raising offshore capacity to 10,000 MW by the end of the decade, but this goal is increasingly slipping out of reach. The capacity will grow to 2,000 MW after the completion of eight parks currently under construction in the North Sea, but expansion beyond that threshold is uncertain because operators are reluctant to invest.

The meeting was attended by Hamburg's Economy Minister Frank Horch and his counterpart from Bremen, Martin Guenthner.

The participants called for a clear political framework following the federal election in September.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!