The German Federal Council has adopted a resolution on offshore wind expansion that outlines proposed changes to the country’s regulatory and auction framework, including reforms to tender design and stronger cross-border cooperation mechanisms. The resolution calls on the Federal Government to present a draft amendment to the Offshore Wind Energy Act before the summer recess of 2026. The changes are intended to support a revised auction framework expected to be introduced for tenders from 2027 onwards.
A central element of the proposed reforms is a shift towards a bilateral contract for difference (CfD) system for offshore wind auctions. The resolution also highlights the need to improve investment certainty and address issues linked to recent auction outcomes and project realisation risks.
The Federal Council further proposes measures related to offshore wind areas already awarded in previous allocation rounds. These include a potential voluntary return mechanism for projects awarded between 2023 and 2025, combined with options for re-tendering if developments are no longer considered viable under current conditions.
The resolution also supports the development of cross-border cooperation models for offshore wind energy within Europe. This includes greater integration of offshore wind farms located in neighbouring countries and their potential connection to the German grid.
The Federal Council resolution, titled “Reliable Implementation of Offshore Wind Energy Expansion”, was introduced by the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony and adopted on 12 June 2026.
