No expansion of offshore wind without seaports

BERLIN. The port capacities along the German coast are insufficient to fulfil the legally stipulated expansion of offshore wind energy to 30 gigawatts by 2030 and 70 gigawatts by 2045. The revenue from offshore wind auctions could provide the funds necessary for expanding the ports, which is why in early February the Federal Association of Offshore Wind Energy (BWO) and the Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS), in solidarity with the coastal states, called on the German government to help develop a financing solution. “It’s good that the German government plans to introduce a transformation component for using the revenue from the offshore wind auctions. Among other things, these funds should be used to finance expansion of the ports and the hinterland,” said Stefan Thimm, BWO Managing Director. Angela Titzrath, President of ZDS, added, “The planned expansion objectives for offshore wind energy would be impossible without German seaports. The aim to accelerate the output of offshore wind energy makes it even more important to pave the way politically for expansion of heavy-load surfaces at seaports without delay. This calls for the German government, in particular, to contribute financially to ensure a successful energy transition.”

Credits: istockphoto/CharlieChesvick