Networking of wind farms
North Sea countries are planning large power plants on the high seas
2/27/2023 1:37 p.m
The EU wants to become climate neutral by 2050. In order to nevertheless guarantee the power supply, the capacity of offshore wind farms is to be massively expanded and now also networked. At present, the North Sea countries’ systems are only connected to their own coasts.
Germany wants to create a large power plant on the high seas with other North Sea countries by networking wind farms. On the one hand, the wind power could then be used more effectively and cheaply and, on the other hand, the overall exchange of electricity between neighboring countries could be facilitated, according to a study by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and three electricity network operators. The wind farms are currently only connected to the respective coasts.
However, networking all wind farms would also increase the security of supply if the electricity could flow more easily to where it is needed. This pays off, for example, when the wind blows with different strengths in different zones of the North Sea.
The EU’s goal is for a capacity of 300 gigawatts of offshore wind power to be built off the coasts by 2050. This is equivalent to the power of about 300 nuclear reactors. Offshore wind is considered a particularly reliable source of electricity because it blows more regularly and more strongly than on land. The wind turbines therefore record almost twice as many so-called full load hours on the high seas than on land.
Cooperation with Denmark and the Netherlands
Economics Minister Robert Habeck spoke of a central project: “With additional grid connections, more cost-effective electricity from renewable energies can be imported to Germany. At the same time, we have to curtail less electricity.” This is currently the case when there is too much wind and there are not enough customers in Germany, for example, or the lines do not have enough capacity. Germany is primarily preparing for cooperation with Denmark, but also with the Netherlands.
A capacity of 30 gigawatts is planned off the German coast by 2030. However, it is becoming apparent that by 2035 it could be 50 gigawatts. 70 gigawatts are planned by 2045. In view of the plans for an industrial electricity price, i.e. permanently cheaper energy for companies, offshore energy is of particular importance. The electricity, which can be produced comparatively cheaply, could be supplied here at preferential tariffs. Exactly how this can be implemented is being discussed in Germany and the EU as part of a new electricity market design.