All Clear for German Offshore Test Centers

The German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) has approved changes in the grid connection for offshore test areas as part of its decision to amend the Grid Expansion Acceleration Act (NABEG), allowing the establishment of offshore test centers.

The approval means that an offshore test center can be established off the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the Baltic Sea, under an application submitted to the German Federal Council (Bundesrat).

Located about 10km off the coast, the test field will provide space for ten to 12 offshore wind turbines with a 13-15MW capacity.

The proximity to the coast, harbor and facilities of Rostock, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s largest city, and a water depth of 20m are said to represent a cost and location advantage.

According to Energy Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Christian Pegel, there is still a long way until the establishment of the center as it is planned for 2023.

The creation of a legal framework for the grid connection will now begin and will detail the use of the center and the technological innovations to be tested, while an operator also needs to be selected, Pegel said.

Pegel emphasized that local companies and research institutions will be included in the process, and the Federal Government, the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania area and the Offshore-Windenergie foundation will cooperate on the establishment.

The definition of test areas in German waters has also been included in the NABEG amendment and the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency agency has been authorized to develop a plan to establish the areas in coordination with relevant coastal states by 30 June.

Changes in the German Energy Industry Act also include that the Federal Network Agency has to take into account the grid connection of such offshore test sites as part of its ongoing grid development planning.

So far, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the only federal state that has incorporated an offshore test field in its Land Development Plan (LEP), according to the Federal State Government of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.