Berlin (Natural Energy News): The German Federal Network Agency has awarded contracts for two offshore wind power projects totaling 2,500 MW in the North Sea, with a combined bid value exceeding EUR 3 billion (USD 3.21 billion). The contracts cover areas N-11.2 (1.5 GW) and N-12.3 (1 GW), situated approximately 120 km northwest of the island of Heligoland.
Winning Bids and Financial Details:
- TotalEnergies SE: Offshore Wind One GmbH, owned by TotalEnergies SE (EPA), secured area N-11.2 with a bid of EUR 1.305 million per MW, totaling about EUR 1.96 billion.
- EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg AG: EnBW (ETR) won area N-12.3 with a bid of EUR 1.065 million per MW, amounting to EUR 1.065 billion.
In 2023, the average award value was EUR 1.8 billion per gigawatt, a figure that faced criticism from industry associations.
Dynamic Bidding Process: The process saw intense competition, with nine zero-cent bids for N-11.2 and seven for N-12.3 by the June 1, 2024, deadline. The dynamic bidding included 46 rounds for N-11.2 and 55 rounds for N-12.3.
Commitments and Payments: TotalEnergies announced that Offshore Wind One GmbH will pay EUR 196 million to the German federal government within a year, dedicated to marine conservation and promoting environmentally friendly fishing. Additionally, the entity will make annual payments of EUR 88 million over the 25-year concession period to the electricity transmission system operator.
Future Plans:
- TotalEnergies: Stephane Michel, President Gas Renewable and Power of TotalEnergies, highlighted that this award complements their previous concession N-12.1, establishing a 3.5 GW offshore wind energy hub in the German North Sea.
- EnBW: The company plans to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) with industrial customers for much of the electricity produced by the new wind farm. Peter Heydecker, Board Member for Sustainable Generation Infrastructure, noted the significant interest from customers, reinforcing their decision to pursue PPAs for future projects.
Both wind farms are expected to be operational by 2031.
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