German Case Study in North Sea

Strategic Environmental Assessments in Supporting Multiple Policy Objectives in the Southern North Sea – German Expansion of Offshore Wind Power

SEE ALL CROSSGOV CASE STUDIES HERE

The German push for offshore wind in the Southern North Sea must balance biodiversity protection, energy security, and climate goals set by the EU Green Deal. Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) integrate multiple directives (SEA, MSFD, MSPD) with initiatives like REPowerEU and the Biodiversity Strategy. This case study examines how SEAs shape planning, guide measure selection, and foster dialogue. Its findings assess whether SEAs are “fit” to ensure that offshore wind development is both sustainable and well-governed.

 

CASE STUDY LEAD PARTNER

RIFS – Research Institute for Sustainability

Ben Boteler

Senior Research Associate ben.boteler(at)rifs-potsdam.de

Cristian Passarello

Research Associate cristian.passarello(at)rifs-potsdam.de

RECENT NEWS
Dutch North Sea
08 January 2025
Vertical coherence EU and national policies and laws
This document delves into how key directives—including the Marine Strategy, Water Framework, Habitats...
Read More
German North Sea
06 January 2025
Exploring the German North Sea
The German North Sea is a focal point for the country’s renewable energy ambitions. With targets to increase...
Read More
News
17 December 2024
A look back at the Mission Arena 3
On 26 November 2024, at Mission Arena 3, CrossGov hosted an insightful workshop titled: “Reconciling...
Read More
German North Sea
13 December 2024
German North Sea - Case Study Insights
The German North Sea Case Study highlights the critical role of Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs)...
Read More

QUICK FACTS

Objective

Explore policy coherence and the balance of biodiversity conservation targets and offshore renewable energy targets within the Germany’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Sea, including the role of SEAs and other cross-cutting policy tools. 

Policy focus

 EU: Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), Offshore Renewable Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, Birds and Habitats directives, Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA Directive), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA Directive), Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD).

Germany: Renewable Energy Sources Act, Offshore Wind Energy Act, Offshore Installation Act, Federal Nature Conservation Act, Federal Water Act, Environmental Impact Assessment Act, and Spatial Planning Act. 

Geographic focus

German’s Exclusive Economic Zone of the North Sea 

Stakeholders

Government authorities: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany (BMWK), Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi); Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB); Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV), Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). 

Industry: Offshore wind developers, German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO), grid operators. 

NGOs and research institutes: Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU), WWF, universities. 

Neighbouring countries: Transboundary consultation partners under the Espoo Convention (e.g., Denmark, Netherlands).  

Strategic impact assessment

The Strategic Environmental Assessment process includes public and international consultations, but stakeholder concerns, particularly from environmental groups, are not always effectively reflected in final plans. 

Environmental impact assessment

While Strategic Environmental Assessments set the framework for Environmental Impact Assessments, exemptions through the application of ‘acceleration areas’ under Germany’s Offshore Wind Energy Act allows them to be bypassed, raising concerns about reduced environmental scrutiny and biodiversity safeguards. 

Planning

Strategic Environmental Assessments are used to inform spatial allocations within Maritime Spatial Planning, but spatial conflicts persist as offshore wind zones overlap with ecologically protected areas, challenging the achievement of biodiversity objectives. ​

Implementation

Strategic Environmental Assessments supports offshore wind expansion but faces challenges which are explored in the case study. ​

The CrossGov project is funded by the European Union under Grant agreement ID 101060958. 
The website content is the sole responsibility of CrossGov project and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Twitter Linkedin