Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has launched a second amendment procedure for the country’s 2025 Offshore Site Development Plan (Flächenentwicklungsplan/FEP), proposing several changes to offshore wind areas, auction schedules and grid connection plans in the North Sea.
The draft amendment, published on 19 June, includes revised planning options for offshore wind sites N-10.1 and N-10.2, which were put out to tender in 2025 and received no bids, adjustments to the timing of auctions and commissioning dates for several areas, changes to the boundaries of sites N-12.5 and N-12.6, and modifications to the route of the NOR-10-1 offshore grid connection.
The proposed changes also affect sites N-12.4 and N-12.5, whose auctions were suspended earlier this year, as well as N-6.8 and N-12.6 and their associated grid connection systems.
According to the BSH, the amendment procedure is limited to the specified changes and follows a streamlined process under Germany’s Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG). The agency has published a draft amendment and an environmental screening document and opened a consultation for authorities and the public until 20 July.
The BSH said its preliminary assessment concluded that no additional Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) beyond that already carried out for the 2025 Site Development Plan is likely to be required.
The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) welcomed the move, saying the proposed changes respond to long-standing industry calls to optimise offshore wind site design and improve project economics.