Bremerhaven, 3 June 2020: WAB e.V. Managing Director Heike Winkler comments on today's decision of the Federal Cabinet to amend the country’s offshore wind act WindSeeG:
· On the new target for 2040: "The new long-term target of 40 gigawatts of offshore wind in Germany by 2040 is an important signal and creates planning security for the wind industry.”
· With regard to the supply chain perspective: "The German government should now keep its coalition agreement promise and launch an invitation to tender at short notice, among other things for available network capacities that would otherwise remain unused for several years. The lion's share of the new offshore wind farms will not be built for several years. Until then, offshore wind can create more employment in Germany again if small and medium-sized companies are given a fair chance in this politically regulated market."
· Regarding the tender design: “In order for us to achieve the new expansion targets set by the Federal Government, policymakers should reduce the risks of implementing wind farms at sea and discuss the proposed tender model with the industry. In recent years, the industry has succeeded in significantly reducing the costs of offshore wind. The German government's model would make offshore wind power unnecessarily more expensive again. We need Contracts for Differences. This is not only important operators of offshore wind farms, but also from the point of view of suppliers, as a CfD regime provides the necessary stability.“
· On “green” hydrogen: "The production of 'green' hydrogen must be economical. To do so, it needs a long-term perspective and cross-technology regulatory adjustments."
Picture: © WAB
About WAB e.V.:
Bremerhaven-based WAB is the nationwide contact partner for the offshore wind industry in Germany and the leading business network for onshore wind energy in the north-west region. The association fosters the production of “green” hydrogen from wind energy. It comprises some 250 smaller and larger businesses as well as institutes from all sectors of the wind industry, the maritime industry as well as research.
WAB e.V. organises the international WINDFORCE Conference in Bremerhaven, this year postponed to 3 and 4 September. The WINDFORCE Conference has become the central meeting place for the offshore wind industry in Germany during its 15-year history. The WINDFORCE Dinner will offer participants the opportunity to enjoy the company of existing and new business partners in a pleasant atmosphere.
Contact:
Hans-Dieter Sohn | Senior Communications and Marketing Manager WAB e.V. | +49 173 2382802 | hans.sohn@wab.net
