German utilities and wind turbine manufacturers have expressed concerns over the government's offshore wind energy target capacity of 15,000MW by 2020, deeming it technologically and economically unrealistic. The German government's target corresponds to the installation of around 3,000 large offshore wind turbines. Industry sources have voiced their concern by saying that the necessary infrastructure and servicing firms needed for the installation of these offshore wind turbines are scarce.

German utilities and wind turbine manufacturers have expressed concerns over the government's offshore wind energy target capacity of 15,000MW by 2020, deeming it technologically and economically unrealistic.

The German government's target corresponds to the installation of around 3,000 large offshore wind turbines. Industry sources have voiced their concern by saying that the necessary infrastructure and servicing firms needed for the installation of these offshore wind turbines are scarce.

Ralf Bischof, chairman of the German Wind Energy Association (BWE), noted that while the general conditions for implementing these projects are good, there is a need for more incentives.

The reformed federal Renewable Energy Sources Act reportedly provides for a reasonable feed-in tariff of E0.14 per kWh of electricity generated by offshore wind turbines, according to Mr Bischof, but returns of only 3.6% for the transmission network could put off potential investors.

Plant construction costs in the country are also increasing, pushing German turbine makers such as Nordex and Repower to look at more lucrative European markets like France, Ireland and Poland. The slow growth of electricity networks is also reported to be impeding the growth of the energy sector, as there are no efficient transmission routes connecting northern and southern Germany.

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