Germany – The German Wind Association (BWO) is calling for tenders in the production of green hydrogen using offshore electrolysers. This move aligns with the revised German Offshore Wind Energy Act, WindSeeG, which empowers the Climate Ministry to regulate the process.
The consultation on offshore green hydrogen production, conducted by the department in January, marked a pivotal moment. However, concrete proposals for regulation are still in the works, leaving the industry in anticipation.
In a strategic proposal, the maritime and hydrographic agency (BSH) identified an area in the North Sea, named SEN-1, as a potential site for offshore green hydrogen production. The BWO advocates for tenders not only for SEN-1 but also for additional areas, aligning with the national goal of achieving 500MW of green hydrogen annually from 2023 to 2028.
SEN-1 sites
To expedite the development of offshore electrolysis, the association emphasizes the need for the government to establish transmission fee rates for hydrogen pipelines. BWO’s senior manager of policy and regulation, Manuel Battaglia, stresses the urgency of consulting stakeholders on the auction design for SEN-1 sites to initiate tenders by the first half of 2024.
Battaglia highlights a current gap in regulation for the auction design of SEN-1 sites, emphasizing the industry’s push for prompt consultation. While SEN-1 is part of the existing site development plan, tenders are pending as the ministry finalizes specifics on the auction design.
The association awaits the official decision on whether the SEN-1 space will be tendered as a single entity or divided into subareas. BWO argues that the proposed 102 square kilometers for SEN-1 is excessively large for a single site, advocating for subdivision to enhance actor diversity and promote a more competitive landscape.
As the German Wind Association propels the nation into the green hydrogen frontier, the industry watches with bated breath, anticipating the regulatory framework that will shape the future of offshore electrolysis. The call for tenders heralds a new era in sustainable energy, poised to contribute significantly to Germany’s ambitious green hydrogen targets.
