STORY / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
Around the world with Team Norway: Germany dedicated to offshore wind development
- Published 11 February 2025; updated 30 September 2026; estimated reading time 4 minutes. The article says Germany had nearly 9 GW of offshore wind installed capacity at publication and gives policy goals of 30 GW by 2030 (about 15% of annual electricity consumption), 40 GW by 2035 and 70 GW by 2045. Innovation Norway Germany adviser Michelle Duarte is the quoted source for market interpretation and Norwegian business advice.
- Germany’s first offshore installation, Alpha Ventus, entered service in the North Sea in 2010. The article says the industry gained added importance after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and focuses on the North and Baltic Seas. It identifies grid connection and port capacity as two major constraints: offshore electricity needs stronger onshore grids and faster connection approvals, while ports need more storage, assembly and transport capacity for planned expansion.
- The article reports that 36 turbines totalling 377 MW were connected to the German grid in the first half of 2024 and 73 foundations were installed. It says industry groups were pressing for supply-chain and port investment, including upgrades to existing facilities and new port construction. Cuxhaven is cited for increasing storage/assembly/transport capability and Kiel for green-shipping improvements such as shore power. The article also notes skilled-labour shortages.
- Industry associations called for policy changes and investment, including tender designs that ease cost pressure and support timely project delivery, and reinvestment of tender revenues into port and supply-chain capacity.
- For Norwegian firms, the page describes a competitive market with strong local suppliers and international decision-makers/procurement. It recommends identifying differentiated strengths, matching global technical standards, building partnerships and understanding procurement decision points; it says Innovation Norway offers market intelligence, networking and business-development assistance.
- Linked Norwegian offerings include Ulstein’s hydrogen-hybrid installation vessel; Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s installation/operations vessels; BlueEco shore power; Zinus shore-power connectors; and Axess cable-installation and balance-of-plant services. These are presented as potential responses to market requirements.
- Contact: Michelle Duarte, Senior Advisor, Innovation Norway Germany, michelle.duarte@innovationnorway.no. Related industries: Energy and Offshore wind.