In the context of the consultation launched by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) on the reform of the Wind Energy at Sea Act (WindSeeG), the hydrogen initiative AquaVentus is calling for clear legislative action to enable a cost-efficient and system-friendly development of offshore wind energy. At the heart of its position is the timely legal establishment of hybrid connection concepts, allowing offshore wind farms to be connected via both electricity cables and hydrogen pipelines.

An integrated combination of cables and pipelines would optimize the utilization of offshore wind energy in the North Sea and significantly reduce the costs of producing and transporting green hydrogen. At the same time, it would lower overall investment requirements for offshore transport infrastructure while increasing asset utilization. All other North Sea countries already allow such hybrid approaches.

At the end of 2025, the BMWE invited leading industry associations to submit their views. The planned amendment to the WindSeeG aims to improve the cost efficiency of offshore expansion, better synchronize grid development with generation capacity, enhance market integration of offshore electricity and establish clear rules for offshore hydrogen production and transport. Parliamentary proceedings are expected to follow the consultation. AquaVentus considers offshore sector coupling a key lever to achieve these objectives.

“Changes to the regulatory framework are urgently needed, as they affect the entire energy sector. Offshore wind in particular is under pressure: while auctions raised €12.6 billion in 2023 and still €3 billion for two sites in 2024, we saw the first auction without a single bid at the end of 2025,” said Jörg Singer, Chairman of AquaVentus.

Safeguarding flexibility for innovation and cost reduction. From AquaVentus’ perspective, it is crucial that hybrid connection concepts are enshrined in the WindSeeG without delay. Only then can they be taken into account in upcoming revisions of the Spatial Development Plan, particularly in Zones 4 and 5 of Germany’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea. The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) should therefore proactively anticipate the regulatory changes and incorporate planning options for combined electricity and hydrogen connections in these zones.

If spatial planning in the EEZ continues without the option of hybrid transport solutions, this could lead to legal uncertainty and significant additional planning effort, potentially resulting in follow-up costs amounting to billions of euros and even compensation claims.

Electricity-only overplanting falls short. AquaVentus also warns against misguided incentives arising from a one-sided focus on measures such as peak shaving under purely electricity-based overplanting concepts. While such measures may offer short-term relief, they risk revenue losses and an inefficient use of offshore wind energy. Offshore electrolysis represents a more system-friendly alternative, as it provides flexibility, creates additional value and benefits both the electricity and hydrogen systems.

Cost efficiency of offshore electrolysis scientifically confirmed. A recent study by Frontier Economics, commissioned by AquaVentus, provides robust evidence to support this approach. The analysis shows that integrating offshore electrolyzers can significantly reduce overall system costs. Converting electricity into hydrogen at sea helps avoid grid bottlenecks, reduce curtailment and save on costly additional electricity transmission lines. In the scenarios analyzed, annual savings of up to €1.7 billion are achievable.

Implementing the coalition agreement. The current coalition agreement explicitly provides for enabling hybrid connections for offshore wind farms in order to unlock cost-saving potential in offshore grids and to meet part of future green hydrogen demand. AquaVentus urges the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) to now consistently translate this commitment into the WindSeeG reform and thereby create scope for innovation and cost reductions.

“There is a clear understanding that the main cost drivers of renewable energy expansion lie in premature regulatory constraints. What matters now is to design the framework in a way that allows cost-efficient, system-friendly solutions and innovation to be realized,” Singer concluded.