Energie: 23.000 Jobs in Gefahr: Offshore-Krise trifft deutsche Industrie

Deutschland's offshore wind industry faces a crisis that could cost 23,000 jobs and €24 billion in revenue over the next four years if the growth slows further, according to a new analysis by wind:research commissioned by the German Wind Energy Association (BWO). The industry had hoped to install 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, but only 10.8 GW is currently operational.

Political ambitions and high costs have created a mismatch between the planned and actual progress. Siemens Energy, a leading wind turbine manufacturer, warns that it will need to cut jobs if the crisis is not addressed, and other companies like Vestas face similar threats. The issue stems from increased costs, high interest rates, and uncertain political frameworks, with projects worth billions of euros in jeopardy due to delayed tenders and no bids.

Despite the political goals, the reality on the ground falls significantly short. Developers like RWE, Vattenfall, and EnBW have struggled to secure funding for offshore park development, often paying millions of euros to secure concessions. Even major oil and gas companies like BP and Total Energies have been hesitant to bid, resulting in lost opportunities worth billions.

The government's attempt to address the issue by revising the WindEnergy-on-See Act (WindSeeG) has faced criticism from industry leaders, who argue that it could prevent the utilization of existing investments. One proposed solution is the introduction of 'Contract for Difference' (CfD) contracts, which would guarantee a fixed price for the generated electricity, ensuring offshore wind developers' financial stability.