BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The EU wants to increase wind energy capacity on the European seas almost fivefold from around 34 gigawatts to 150 gigawatts by 2030 - but the industry association believes this will require significantly more capacity and more money. The production of turbines, for example, would have to almost double from the current 700 units per year in the coming years, as the German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) announced in Berlin on Tuesday. The foundations for offshore turbines would even have to be quadrupled.

The ramp-up of large infrastructure projects such as ports, through which the components can be brought out to sea and from which rescue operations can be carried out in the event of an emergency, is proving much more difficult. According to the BWO, there are currently 50 active offshore ports in Europe. In the medium term, around 75 to 100 locations will be required, which will have to be designed for the transportation and storage of around 1,200 turbines.

The federal states currently receive a total of 38 million euros per year in federal funding for the expansion of their ports, said BWO Managing Director Stefan Thimm on Tuesday. This amount is stipulated in the Basic Law. However, at least 400 million euros per year are needed. "We are expecting a long-term investment period," emphasized Thimm.

A further development of the tenders for offshore projects is also necessary. These should no longer be based solely on price. Qualitative criteria such as safety standards or environmental impact, on the other hand, should be strengthened. Politicians are now required to "set the right course for sustainable value creation", Thimm said. The industry will be discussing these topics this Tuesday and Wednesday at the "Future Offshore" conference in Berlin /maa/DP/mis