BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Wind farms in the North and Baltic Seas are set to make a significant contribution to the energy transition - their share of electricity generation is increasing. Last year, offshore wind energy generated a total of 25.7 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, compared to 23.5 TWh in the previous year. Offshore wind energy accounted for 5.9 percent of German electricity generation in 2024. 73 turbines with a total of 742 megawatts fed into the electricity grid for the first time during the year.
Industry sees success story
The offshore wind energy sector in Germany will be 15 years old this year, said Stefan Thimm, Managing Director of the German Offshore Wind Energy Association. According to the association, Alpha-Ventus was the first offshore wind farm to be connected to the grid in German waters in 2010. Thimm spoke of a success story.
At the end of 2024, a total of 1,639 offshore wind turbines with a total capacity of around 9.2 gigawatts (GW) were in operation in Germany. By comparison, the installed capacity of onshore wind turbines at the end of 2024 was around 63.5 gigawatts, while the total solar capacity was around 99 gigawatts. Electricity from wind and solar plays a key role in the German government's strategy to achieve climate protection targets and thus gradually reduce the consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and gas. 80 percent of electricity is to come from renewable energy sources by 2030. Last year, the figure was 55% according to industry figures.
Expansion target for 2030 likely to be missed
However, the statutory expansion target of at least 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 will probably not be reached until 2031, according to industry associations. The reasons for this include delays in grid expansion. The target for 2035 of at least 40 GW, on the other hand, will be achieved one year earlier.
Reliability required from politicians
The prerequisite for this is predictable framework conditions for the industry. Politicians must keep an eye on potential bottlenecks in good time, said Thimm. He mentioned the expansion of German seaports, for example. The expansion could become such a weak point if its financing continues to be put on the back burner between the federal and state governments.
With a view to the early federal elections, he warned against a "debate on targets in legislative cycles". The industry needs absolute reliability and predictability, said Thimm, referring to investments worth billions. Expansion peaks" are expected at the end of the 20s and beginning of the 30s. This is an enormous challenge for the value chain. With regard to Chinese turbine manufacturers, Thimm said that European value chains must be strengthened. At the same time, it was stated that the new area development plan of the responsible federal office offers less clarity than an earlier version about 20 GW expansion by the mid-2030s.
Better protection for infrastructure
The industry believes that the increasing importance of offshore wind energy for the energy supply increases the need to better protect the critical maritime infrastructure. "The German government must therefore take prompt action to ensure the physical security of offshore wind turbines and the associated grid connection." The cyber security of the facilities must also be ensured./hoe/DP/mis