“Sustained expansion and sufficient capacities necessary”

Nearly seven years after Germany’s first offshore wind farm “alpha ventus” began operating in 2010, the industry is thriving, Stephanie Wehkamp writes in maritime trade journal Schiff und Hafen. There are now 15 fully operational windfarms in the North and Baltic seas and around 20,000 people employed in the sector, which is poised for a further fall in operating costs, Wehkamp says. She stresses that “not just coastal federal states benefit from job creation,” but also suppliers in southern regions that are integrated into the value creation chain. Wehkamp warns that amendments to the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) and reduced capacity expansion of a technology “capable of supplying power 340 days per year” put Germany’s climate targets at risk. 

For background, see the CLEW dossier The reform of the Renewable Energy Act.