# Germany Revises Offshore Wind Auction Framework

Germany's federal government has introduced a draft amendment to the WindSeeG law, revising the offshore wind auction and investment framework to address rising costs and enhance grid integration. The amendment establishes a new two-stage auction process combining market-based bidding with contract-for-difference support, extends permit terms for offshore wind farms to a standard 35 years with possible 5-year extensions, and incorporates new cybersecurity and supply-chain resilience requirements aligned with the European Net-Zero Industry Act. These changes are expected to impact procurement strategies for offshore wind developers, grid operators, and contractors involved in offshore infrastructure and compliance.

- The two-stage auction model starting in 2027 introduces a market-based realization assessment before funding support, affecting bidding strategies and contract structures.
- Offshore grid connection capacity investments are estimated between 5 to 10 billion euros, highlighting significant opportunities for contractors in offshore interconnection projects.
- Extended permit terms provide longer operational certainty for offshore wind projects, influencing long-term planning and investment decisions.
- New cybersecurity and supply-chain resilience mandates require contractors and developers to comply with stricter operational standards, emphasizing risk management and regulatory adherence.
- Procurement professionals should evaluate how these regulatory changes affect contract requirements, compliance obligations, and market entry conditions for offshore wind projects in Germany.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH)
- Federal Network Agency
- European Commission
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation
- National Regulatory Control Council

### Key Quotes
> The procedure is thus designed to assess market-based realization without funding support first.
> — Dr. Markus Böhme, Partner

### Sources
- [WindSeeG Amendment: Federal Government Revises the Auction and Investment Framework for Offshore Wind](https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/insights-and-events/insights/2026/09/windseeg-amendment) - Taylor Wessing