ABSTRACT
The ambitious goals of the federal government in Germany call for the percentage of renewable energies to be increased from today’s 3.5% to 12.5% in 2010 and 20% in 2020. Being especially suitable to Germany’s renewable energy conditions, offshore wind energy plays a major role in attaining these goals. Taking into account the high risk and the huge investments associated with offshore wind energy the renewable energy sources act (2004) guaranties special market prices of 9.1 ct./kWh to be paid over a period of 12 years for offshore wind energy converters being installed before 2010. Additionally, the energy suppliers are bound to collect the power from renewable energy sources.
