Federal Network Agency launches further tenders for offshore wind energy

Federal Network Agency launches another tender for offshore wind turbines. It comprises a total of 1,800 MW on four centrally pre-examined areas in the North Sea. The areas have already been pre--examineined and can supply electricity as early as 2028.

Key Highlights:

* Up to 60 points are awarded for the bid value, which reflects the bidder's willingness to pay.

* A total of up to 35 points are awarded for the qualitative criteria.

* 90 percent of the payments made by the successful bidder go towards reducing electricity costs, 5 percent each towards marine conservation and the promotion of environmentally friendly fishing.

Original Press Release:

Bonn, Feb. 27 -- Federal Network Agency issued the following news release:

- 1,800 MW on four centrally pre-examined areas are to be connected to the grid in 2028

The Federal Network Agency launched another tender for offshore wind turbines today. It comprises a total of 1,800 MW on four centrally pre-examined areas in the North Sea.

"The tenders are another important building block for the expansion of offshore wind energy ," says Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency. "The areas have already been pre-examined and can therefore supply electricity as early as 2028."

Acceleration through central preliminary examination

The four areas are located in the vicinity of existing wind farms and thus close "vacant lots". Two of the areas with a total generation capacity of 900 MW are located in the so-called area N-3, approx. 35 km north of Norderney. Two other areas with a planned generation capacity of 900 MW are located in area N-6, approx. 90 km north-west of Borkum.

The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency has pre-examined the areas on behalf of the Federal Network Agency. Essential information – for example about the marine environment, the subsoil and the wind and oceanographic conditions – was collected. These will be made available to all interested parties as part of the call for applications. Successful bidders no longer have to carry out these investigations themselves afterwards.

For the first time, qualitative award criteria for sustainable management

The award is based on a statutory point system. Up to 60 points are awarded for the bid value, which reflects the bidder's willingness to pay. In addition, so-called qualitative criteria are also used, which are to be tested for the first time in the offshore wind sector. The proportion of electricity from renewable energy sources in the manufacture of wind turbines, the proportion of trainees, the use of particularly environmentally friendly foundation methods and the scope of long-term electricity supplies to third parties are evaluated. A total of up to 35 points are awarded for the qualitative criteria. 90 percent of the payments made by the successful bidder go towards reducing electricity costs, 5 percent each towards marine conservation and the promotion of environmentally friendly fishing.

Bids close August 1, 2023

Bids must be submitted by August 1, 2023. After the bids have been checked and the award procedure has been carried out, the bidders will be informed of the decision and the tender results will be published.

Anyone who is awarded the contract has the right to apply to the competent Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency for planning permission to develop the areas with an offshore wind farm. There is also an entitlement to the connection of the wind farm to be built to the power grid in order to transport the electricity generated in the offshore wind turbines away.

In addition to the tenders announced today, the Federal Network Agency also tendered 7 GW on areas that had not been centrally pre-examined on January 31 (see press release dated January 31, 2023).

Further information on the tender for offshore wind turbines is available at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/ windaufseeausschriften23-2 published.

The Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railways is an independent higher federal authority within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) based in Bonn. Some areas of responsibility are under the supervision of the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV).

Disclaimer: The Above Content is Auto-Translated

Source: Federal Network Agency

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