Nov 12, 2025
The offshore wind sector is requesting a delay in Germany's 2026 auctions to improve bid efficiency.
Energy and wind power associations are calling for changes to Germany's 2026 offshore wind energy auctions to address stagnation in the sector. In a joint statement, the BDEW, BWO, VDMA, and grid operators suggested postponing the auction from June 2026 to the end of next year. This delay would allow bidders to refine their projects and adjust to upcoming legal changes regarding investment conditions and spatial planning in Germany's waters.
BDEW head Kerstin Andreae emphasized the need for prompt action to ensure the continued expansion of offshore wind power. The August 2025 auction was notable for receiving no bids, following a decline in interest in previous rounds. Andreae cited "increased power market risks and project financing costs" as reasons for the reluctance of bidders, cautioning against a repeat of 2025's results.
Stefan Thimm, head of BWO, argued for "clear rules and fair investment conditions," attainable through an auction redesign featuring contracts for difference (CfDs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs). The BWO also advocated for extending offshore wind farm operating licenses to 35 years and implementing gradual fees for delayed operations instead of the current blanket cancellation policy for delays.
In Summer 2023, BP and TotalEnergies committed to spending 12.6 billion in a German auction for offshore wind farm construction in the North and Baltic seas, marking the first instance of investors paying for such rights in Germany. In contrast, the latest auction drew no bids, with industry concerns that turbine placement would reduce output due to shadowing effects. Other issues included rising costs from geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and volatile electricity markets.
As of the first half of 2025, the number of Germany's offshore wind turbines connected to the grid remained at 1,639. The country views offshore wind power as integral to its goal of achieving an almost entirely renewable electricity supply. Industry forecasts indicate that Germany will likely meet its 2031 target of 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity, although this is a year later than initially planned.
BDEW head Kerstin Andreae emphasized the need for prompt action to ensure the continued expansion of offshore wind power. The August 2025 auction was notable for receiving no bids, following a decline in interest in previous rounds. Andreae cited "increased power market risks and project financing costs" as reasons for the reluctance of bidders, cautioning against a repeat of 2025's results.
Stefan Thimm, head of BWO, argued for "clear rules and fair investment conditions," attainable through an auction redesign featuring contracts for difference (CfDs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs). The BWO also advocated for extending offshore wind farm operating licenses to 35 years and implementing gradual fees for delayed operations instead of the current blanket cancellation policy for delays.
In Summer 2023, BP and TotalEnergies committed to spending 12.6 billion in a German auction for offshore wind farm construction in the North and Baltic seas, marking the first instance of investors paying for such rights in Germany. In contrast, the latest auction drew no bids, with industry concerns that turbine placement would reduce output due to shadowing effects. Other issues included rising costs from geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and volatile electricity markets.
As of the first half of 2025, the number of Germany's offshore wind turbines connected to the grid remained at 1,639. The country views offshore wind power as integral to its goal of achieving an almost entirely renewable electricity supply. Industry forecasts indicate that Germany will likely meet its 2031 target of 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity, although this is a year later than initially planned.