German Cabinet okays 40 GW offshore wind target

Germany’s Federal Cabinet has greenlighted an amended version of the country’s offshore wind law that sets a 40-GW offshore wind goal by 2040.

The approval of the revised Offshore Wind Act WindSeeG was announced by Germany’s Wind Energy Agency (WAB) on Wednesday. The legislation lifts the country’s current offshore wind target of 15 GW by 2030 to 20 GW, which will help renewable energy reach a 65% share in gross electricity consumption. It additionally sets a long-term expansion goal of 40 GW by 2040.

The amended legislation also introduces an additional test step to enable improved synchronisation between the grid expansion in Germany and offshore wind capacity growth in order to eliminate the risk of obstructing wind power deliveries to the grid. The act will also regulate the production of green hydrogen with electricity from offshore wind farms.

The new law was applauded by WAB and the Association of German Offshore Windfarm Operators (BWO). They, meanwhile, urge the government to enbrace the contracts for difference (CfD) mechanism, saying it could stabilise the investment environment and lower the burden on consumers.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!