Offshore Wind Power Expansion Slows Amidst Investment Concerns

Energy companies BP and Total Energies have slowed plans to expand wind power installations in the North Sea. The companies previously won bids for North Sea areas three years ago for 12 billion euros. Experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems are investigating shading effects that reduce wind speed and energy yield. The companies initially offered high prices but are now hesitating on the expansion projects. The companies have purchased large areas for wind farms but are now pressing the brakes on development. This decision has drawn criticism from scientific communities and regulatory authorities. The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has received requests from both companies to present studies regarding this shift. No specific date for a meeting between the ministry and the energy firms has been set. They now intend to significantly slow down further expansion. This move is driven by concerns that lower-than-expected yields from offshore wind power could lead to increased electricity production from fossil gas. The SPD's energy policy spokesperson expressed fears of this outcome.