Plans Published for North Sea Offshore Wind-Energy Network

Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), together with the companies responsible for power transfer networks in the North Sea, have revealed initial plans for internationally connecting offshore wind energy production. The plans will facilitate energy transfers with Germany’s neighbors, including Denmark and the Netherlands.

Germany currently has a capacity of eight gigawatts in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea but plans to increase that to at least 30 gigawatts by 2030.

“The transition to clean energy will profit greatly from increased networking with our neighbors,” said German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck in a statement. “With additional network connections, Germany can import more affordable renewably produced electricity. At the same time we’ll have to shut down electricity less often.”

Electricity production is sometimes shut down to avoid overloading the grid. German battery producer Kyon Energy, for instance, estimated that this was the case with a full three percent of renewables in Germany in 2021.

The BMWK reported that, according a study it commissioned, enhanced networking of offshore wind farms will increase energy security, lower costs and reduce Germany’s dependency on fossil fuels and nuclear power.