Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has released the preliminary research results for sites N-10.1 and N-10.2, designated for the installation of offshore wind farms in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea. With this data, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) will proceed with the site auctions, with bids closing on 1 August 2025.

The research findings cover key aspects such as seabed conditions, the marine environment, oceanography, wind conditions, and navigation. The full reports are now available on the PINTA data portal.

Technical Details of the Sites

Sites N-10.1 and N-10.2 are located approximately 120 kilometres off the island of Heligoland, in waters with depths ranging from 39.5 to 42 metres, measured at the lowest astronomical tide (LAT). Together, these zones cover 182 square kilometres.

🔹 Site N-10.1

• Area: 151 km²
• Expected installed capacity: 2,000 megawatts (MW)
• Wind turbines operational by: 2031

🔹 Site N-10.2

• Area: 31 km²
• Expected installed capacity: 500 megawatts (MW)
• Wind turbines operational by: 2030

Both sites were officially deemed suitable for offshore wind energy development through the Fifth Ordinance on the Implementation of the Offshore Wind Energy Act (5th WindSeeV), issued on 28 January 2025.

Research Conducted by BSH

Over the past three years, BSH has conducted extensive studies to ensure the feasibility of wind energy development at these locations. The research included:

• Seabed analysis: Assessing geological and sedimentary conditions for turbine foundations.
• Marine environment studies: Evaluating the impact of turbines on local biodiversity.
• Wind and oceanographic conditions: Measuring wind speeds and ocean parameters.
• Navigation impact assessment: Determining potential disruptions to maritime traffic.

To gather oceanographic parameters, BSH deployed two wave measurement buoys at site N-10, anchored to the seabed and equipped with GPS, inclination and acceleration sensors. These buoys collected six months of data on wave height, wave period, and wave direction, providing essential insights for offshore wind farm planning.

“By publishing the results of the preliminary research via the PINTA data portal, BSH provides another key element for the successful implementation of Germany’s ambitious offshore wind expansion,” states Bettina Kühn, Head of the Offshore Research and Evaluation Subdepartment at BSH.

The Bidding Process and the Role of BNetzA

Germany’s Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) oversees the auctioning of these offshore wind sites through a bidding process regulated under the Offshore Wind Energy Act (WindSeeG).

Since 2021, BNetzA has been responsible for determining bid recipients and subsidy amounts under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). With the new WindSeeG law coming into effect on 1 January 2023, the bidding criteria have been updated according to Article 51 of the legislation. The Site Development Plan (PES) determines the location, scheduling, and sequence of sites to be auctioned.

Before each auction, BSH carries out preliminary investigations, covering:

• Marine environment studies (environmental impact assessment).
• Seabed research (geological stability and sediment conditions).
• Wind and oceanographic measurements (weather conditions and sea dynamics).
• Navigation and maritime safety assessments (traffic impact analysis).

All collected data is centralised in PINTA, a key data repository that has already published information on 11 offshore wind areas, with a total dataset volume of nearly 30 terabytes.

Importance of These Projects for Germany’s Energy Transition

Germany has set ambitious targets for offshore wind expansion. In 2023, the country had 8 GW of installed offshore wind capacity. The government aims to reach 30 GW by 2030, with a further target of 70 GW by 2045.

The auctioning of sites N-10.1 and N-10.2 is part of a broader strategy to accelerate the clean energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The North Sea has become a crucial hub for offshore wind development in Europe. Germany’s proximity to other countries with strong offshore wind investment—such as Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—reinforces its leadership in renewable energy.

The publication of preliminary research results for sites N-10.1 and N-10.2 marks a significant step forward in Germany’s offshore wind energy strategy. With a combined 2,500 MW of capacity, these projects will contribute substantially to the country’s clean energy goals.

The PINTA data platform, managed by BSH, has proven to be a crucial tool for transparent and data-driven offshore planning. Meanwhile, BNetzA is proceeding with the bidding process, which will conclude on 1 August 2025.

These projects further strengthen Germany’s position as a leader in offshore wind energy and represent a key milestone in Europe’s transition towards a sustainable energy future.