German offshore wind tender goes into negative bidding again

German federal grids agency receives two zero-subsidy bids, triggering second tendering phase in which developers can bid for right to build and operate far-offshore site

Klaus Müller, president of Germany's federal networks agency (BNetzA)
Klaus Müller, president of Germany's federal networks agency (BNetzA)Photo: Laurence Chaperon / Bundesnetzagentur
Germany’s latest offshore wind tender will enter a negative bidding phase once more, after two zero support bids were handed in, the federal grids agency (BNetzA) told Recharge.
The auction for the 1GW N-9.4 site that had not been pre-developed by the state had been described as “important test” for the sector, as the grids agency for the first time has auctioned off an area which it said must be ‘overplanted’ by 10-20% when compared to its grid connection capacity.

The measure is seen as a test for greater system efficiency, as it should allow more days on which the wind farm can run at the full grid connection capacity.

"In the tender for offshore wind turbines on sites not subject to central pre-investigation, two bids were received for site '"N-9.4' with a value of zero cents per kilowatt hour for the bidding deadline of June 1, 2025," a BNetzA official said.

"The Federal Network Agency intends to conduct a dynamic bidding process starting June 16, 2025."

At the so-called dynamic bidding procedure, the two bidders can put in financial bids to pay for the right to build and operate the far-offshore site.

The wind industry in the past has strongly objected to this 'negative bidding' component, as it may eventually drive up power prices for consumers.

Commissioning of Germany's N-9.4 site is planned for 2032.

The agency this year will also auction off two sites (N-10-1 and N-10.2) with a combined capacity of 2.5GW later this year that have been pre-developed.

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Published 11 June 2025, 14:27Updated 12 June 2025, 08:44
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