Germany launches 1.8 GW tender for offshore wind energy

The four areas are located in the vicinity of existing wind farms and thus close "construction gaps" as Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency said. Two of the areas with a combined 900 MW of planned generation capacity are located in the so-called area N-3, about 35 km north of the island of Norderney in the German North Sea. Two further areas, also with a planned generating capacity of 900 MW, are located in area N-6, approx. 90 km northwest of the island of Borkum.

"The tenders are another important building block for the expansion of offshore wind energy," said Müller. "The areas have already been pre-examined and can therefore supply electricity as early as 2028."

The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) conducted a preliminary investigation of the areas on behalf of the Federal Network Agency. In the process, essential information on the marine environment, the subsoil and the wind and oceanographic conditions was collected. This information will be made available to all interested parties as part of the bidding process. Successful bidders no longer have to carry out these studies themselves.

Bids must be submitted by August 1, 2023. After the bids have been reviewed and the award process has been carried out, bidders will be informed of the decision and the tender results will be published. In addition to the tenders announced yesterday, the Federal Network Agency has already invited tenders for 7 GW on non-centrally pre-screened areas on January 31.