AquaVentus Urges Investment in Offshore Wind and Hybrid Energy Solutions in North Sea
AquaVentus is advocating for increased investment in offshore wind, emphasizing the need for clear rules that allow hybrid electricity and hydrogen connections under the reform of the WindSeeG. The group calls for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy to quickly establish a framework for combining pipelines and cables to optimize offshore wind utilization and lower hydrogen transport costs.
It highlights that other North Sea nations already permit hybrid concepts, warning that delays could escalate investment requirements for offshore infrastructure. AquaVentus cautions that the lack of hybrid options in revisions of spatial development plans for North Sea zones 4 and 5 may lead to legal uncertainties and significant costs.
Additionally, it points out that electricity-only overplanting could result in revenue losses. A Frontier Economics study indicates that integrating offshore electrolysers could save up to €1.7 billion annually by reducing bottlenecks and curtailment.
