Georg Stamatelopoulos, CEO of EnBW, has questioned Germany’s offshore wind power expansion targets. He advocates initially lowering the statutory goal of 70 gigawatts by 2045 to 55 gigawatts and only then deciding on further steps. Currently, installed capacity in the North and Baltic Seas stands at 10.2 gigawatts (as of April).
Stamatelopoulos justifies his demand with a significant cost increase in the industry. The situation for the offshore industry has “dramatically deteriorated,” he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Wind turbines, logistics, and cables have become more expensive. Compared to five years ago, the cost increase is 30 to 40 percent, and over a 15-year period, more than 50 percent.
Stamatelopoulos broadly defends the course of Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU). The federal government is tackling issues that have needed regulation for a long time. However, he criticized that the minister sometimes “communicates her policy poorly.”
EnBW currently operates four offshore wind farms. The He Dreiht park, with around 960 megawatts, is set to be added in late summer. 55 of the 64 turbines are already installed, and about 30 are already in operation. The company is thus one of Germany’s largest offshore wind power operators.
The federal government maintains its goal of expanding offshore capacity to at least 30 gigawatts by 2030.
Source: www.spiegel.de
