The North Sea states are planning the world’s largest center for renewable energy: offshore wind turbines with a nominal output of 300 gigawatts are to be built by 2050.
Im North SeaThe world’s largest center for clean energy is to be built in this area. The states bordering the North Sea, the offshore wind industry and the transmission system operators agreed on this on Monday at the third “North Sea Summit” in Hamburg. Wind turbines with a nominal output of 300 gigawatts are to be installed in the sea by 2050.
Germany wants to do its part by improving investment conditions for the offshore wind industry after no bids were received in tenders for offshore wind power capacity for the first time in 2025.
Economics Minister Katherina Reiche is now promoting the introduction of contracts for differences as part of a restructuring of the promotion of renewable energies that is already taking place: The operating companies of the offshore parks then sell their electricity on the stock exchange and, if there is a shortfall in revenue compared to a set reference price, receive the difference as a subsidy. Conversely, they have to pay excess revenue. In effect, contracts for difference are a state-guaranteed remuneration, regardless of the market price of the electricity.
Reiche said on Monday that politicians were sending an “industrial policy signal” with their commitment to offshore wind power – for example to the shipyards. In return, the offshore industry agreed to invest 9.5 billion euros in new production capacity in Europe by 2030 and to create 91,000 additional jobs.
More cables in the sea
An important topic at the “North Sea Summit” was agreements for the construction of cross-border offshore power lines. As the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries explained, for example, offshore wind areas in the Danish or Swedish exclusive economic zone that are not needed there could be built and connected to the German power grid.
Cable routes are also to be built that connect offshore wind farms with several countries at the same time: “Up to 100 gigawatts of generation output,” according to the Federal Ministry of Economics, will be networked across borders. A challenge here is the significant differences in the regulatory systems and revenue models of the transmission system operators.
Together for a free press
As a cooperative, we belong to our readers. And our journalism is not only 100% non-corporate, but also accessible free of charge. We make all articles freely available, without a paywall. Especially in these times, classifications and information must be accessible to everyone. Our readers don’t have to pay anything, but they know that critical, independent journalism doesn’t emerge from nothing. We are very grateful for that. So that we can continue to do our journalism tomorrow, we need more support. Our next goal: 50,000 – and with your participation we can do it. Set an example for the taz and for the future of our journalism. With just 5 euros you are there!
Support now