Germany's planned offshore wind law reform drew objections to its auction model at a Bundestag hearing, but the critics favoured different alternatives. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry opposed state subsidies, while representatives of offshore operators sought stronger revenue protection, according to the parliament's report of the 2 November hearing. Bundestag report
Government bill 21/8238 would retain the target of 70 gigawatts by 2045, the report says. A two-stage auction would first test whether companies would build without support. Only then would bids be sought for a two-sided contract for difference: it would compensate for low market revenues and require payments from operators when revenues were higher. The standard operating period for new farms would rise from 25 to 35 years. Bundestag report
Niclas Wenz of the chamber opposed subsidies for offshore installations and wanted expansion linked more closely to actual electricity demand. Stefan Thimm of the offshore wind operators' association instead called for a model based exclusively on contracts for difference. He also sought provisions reflecting cost changes between an award and commissioning. Bundestag report
Sites already awarded were another point of contention. Tennet's Tetiana Chuvilina asked how construction of the 16 gigawatts awarded between 2023 and 2025 would be ensured. She called for binding mechanisms to support delivery and the prompt return of projects that could not be realised. Bundestag report
Andreas Mummert of the German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation welcomed two-sided contracts for difference but wanted a one-off return option for commercially unviable awards from 2023 to 2025. Reusable project documents should help sites be awarded again more quickly. These are proposals for the legislative process, rather than return rights already enacted. Bundestag report
Further scrutiny therefore faces questions about both the future auction model and the handling of existing awards. The report reviewed does not give a date for a final vote. Bundestag report