The hydrogen initiative AquaVentus has demanded clear legal regulations for combined connection concepts as part of the consultation on the amendment of the Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG). According to this, offshore wind farms should be able to be connected both via power cables and hydrogen pipelines in the future. According to AquaVentus, this could better utilize infrastructure, reduce costs, and produce green hydrogen more efficiently.
In other North Sea neighboring states, this combined use is already common practice. In Germany, it must now be legally anchored to be considered in the upcoming adjustments to the area development plan—especially in zones 4 and 5 of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The responsible Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) should anticipate the regulatory changes in the WindSeeG early on.
Warning of Legal Risks and Costs Due to Pure Power Connection
AquaVentus warns against continuing area planning without the option for combined connections. This could lead to legal uncertainties, increased planning effort, and potential claims for damages. A one-sided focus on electrical overbuilding with measures such as peak capping falls short, according to the initiative. These lead to revenue losses and inefficient use of wind energy.
Instead, offshore electrolysis offers a more system-friendly solution. It enables flexibility, additional value creation, and relieves both the power and hydrogen systems.
Study Demonstrates Savings Potential Through Offshore Electrolysis
A study commissioned by AquaVentus from the consulting firm Frontier Economics concludes that offshore electrolyzers can significantly reduce system costs in the energy system. By converting electricity into hydrogen at sea, grid bottlenecks can be avoided, curtailments reduced, and additional power lines saved. The study quantifies the annual savings potential at up to 1.7 billion euros.
Appeal to Federal Government to Implement the Coalition Agreement
The coalition agreement of the Federal Government explicitly provides for the combined connection of offshore wind farms. AquaVentus calls on the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) to implement this objective in the WindSeeG amendment. "There is a clear assessment that the cost drivers of the expansion of renewable energies lie in premature decisions. Now it is important to design the regulatory framework so that cost-efficient and system-friendly solutions can be realized together with innovations," says Jörg Singer, Chairman of the Board of AquaVentus.
Background: AquaVentus Aims for One Million Tons of Hydrogen Per Year
AquaVentus is a consortium of companies, organizations, and research institutions along the entire hydrogen value chain. The goal is to produce one million tons of green hydrogen annually from offshore wind energy in the North Sea by 2035 and transport it to land via pipeline. For this purpose, 10 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity are to be installed and the corresponding infrastructure built.
