The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) is urging members of the Bundestag to allocate funds from the planned €500 billion special fund to the urgently needed expansion of port infrastructure in Germany. According to BWO, strengthening ports is crucial for both the offshore wind sector and national security.
The list of targeted investment areas under the fund includes energy and transport infrastructure – both essential for accelerating offshore wind deployment. “Ports play a dual role, supporting both the energy transition and security policy. Heavy-duty port areas are vital for offshore wind logistics and can also be utilized for military purposes,” explains Stefan Thimm, Managing Director of BWO.
BWO points to Esbjerg port in Denmark as a model, where targeted investments – including €115 million from the European Investment Bank – have enhanced capacity for offshore wind activities while also improving military usability.
While BWO welcomes the commitment from CDU/CSU and SPD to fully harness renewable energy potential, the association stresses that the legally defined goal of 70 GW offshore wind capacity by 2045cannot be met without significantly upgraded port infrastructure to handle the transport and installation of new wind turbines.
BWO also highlights that proceeds from offshore wind auctions could be used as an additional financing tool to strengthen maritime infrastructure and help meet industry targets.
“The outgoing coalition has failed to deliver a clear financing strategy for port development, putting the timely expansion of offshore wind projects at risk and missing opportunities for job creation and economic growth in coastal regions,” adds Thimm. He also welcomed the Union’s support for increasing Germany’s port compensation mechanism (Hafenlastenausgleich) from the current €38 million to at least €400 million annually.
BWO is calling on policymakers to prioritize port development as a national strategic task in negotiations over the special fund, contributing simultaneously to Germany’s energy transition and its strategic resilience on both a national and European level.
