“It is possible to equally improve the framework conditions for offshore wind and offshore electrolysis. Both markets are interdependent and complement each other advantageously,” explains Robert Seehawer, Managing Director of AquaVentus. Instead of an either-or decision between wind and hydrogen, the association presents its own proposal: In addition to the electrolysis planned on SEN-1, a second 250 MW platform should be enabled, also powered by wind power from area N-10.1. This configuration improves the economic viability of the wind areas while maintaining the perspective for the offshore hydrogen ramp-up.
AquaVentus has spoken out against the complete dissolution of the offshore area SEN-1 in the German North Sea in a statement. The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) had submitted a draft for the second amendment of the Area Development Plan (FEP) 2025 for consultation on June 19, 2026. In it, the agency outlines three options for the future layout of the areas N-10.1, N-10.2, and SEN-1.
Option 3 envisages the complete deletion of SEN-1. AquaVentus unanimously rejects this variant. According to the association, this would make offshore electrolysis in Zone 3 of the German exclusive economic zone impossible. An alternative, equally well-developed location does not exist in the FEP.
Two Electrolysis Platforms as Target Configuration
As the preferred solution, AquaVentus names an adapted version of Option 2. This envisages the full expansion capacity of 2,000 MW on the wind area N-10.1. Additionally, up to two electrolysis platforms, each with 250 MW, should be able to be erected on SEN-1 or N-10.1. Option 1, which retains SEN-1 extensively, would be an equivalent alternative according to the association, provided it achieves the same target configuration.
For the power supply of the electrolysis platforms, AquaVentus proposes a 66 kV cable with a transmission capacity of around 80 to 100 MW per platform. This should be connected to already existing reserve connection sockets of the converter station NOR-10-1 under construction. Adjustments to the existing converter design are not necessary for this. According to the association, a complete, parallel grid connection would not be required, as only limited electrical backup is needed for wind-weak periods.
Criticism of Focus on Power Transmission
AquaVentus accuses the BSH draft of having a bias in favor of pure power transmission solutions. Every wind power that is exclusively brought ashore as electricity requires the construction of additional offshore grid connection systems (ONAS) with costs of several billion euros per connection. These investments would be passed on to consumers and industry through grid fees.
“AquaVentus advocates for a sector-coupled use of offshore areas. This saves real money for the energy transition and all consumers in Germany. That’s why we say clearly: The North Sea is not just for power generation,” says Robert Seehawer. “If we want to become independent from energy imports from abroad, help with grid expansion, and make the energy transition efficient, we need to move away from old thinking.”
According to the association, offshore wind developers need additional revenue sources in the long term, alongside short-term Contracts for Difference (CfD). Wind energy should not be curtailed in high-yield, low-price hours but stored in hydrogen.
Demand for WindSeeG Amendment
As a central association demand, AquaVentus calls for an amendment to the Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG). Under current law, offshore sector coupling – i.e., the combined production of electricity and hydrogen – is only permissible in designated areas like SEN-1, but not on regular areas like N-10.1. This distinction is a structural obstacle to the ramp-up of the offshore hydrogen economy.
The demand is also of fundamental importance for area development in Zones 4 and 5 of the German exclusive economic zone. Without a WindSeeG amendment, the current location issue would repeat itself with every future FEP update.
The first electrolysers realized in the new configuration are to be connected to the AquaDuctus pipeline project. AquaVentus aims to produce one million tons of hydrogen per year from offshore wind energy in the North Sea. According to its own statements, the association is striving to build 10 gigawatts of production capacity for offshore hydrogen across Europe.
More about cost reduction in context with the AquaVentus hydrogen project can be found here. And how much hydrogen and wind energy depend on each other can be read in our current H2int issue.
