Finanzierung von Offshore-Windenergie Grant

Bundesregierung / Förderdatenbank

About this grant

The KfW Offshore Wind Energy programme finances the construction of offshore wind farms in Germany's Exclusive Economic Zone (AWZ) or the 12-nautical-mile zone of the North and Baltic Seas. On behalf of the Federal Government, KfW supports up to 10 offshore projects in order to accelerate the expansion of offshore wind energy in Germany. The funding is provided as loans at market conditions for project financing of the investment costs. Three financing variants are available. Variant A is a direct loan from KfW within a bank consortium, where KfW's share is at most 50% of the total debt requirement, with a maximum of 400 million EUR per project. Variant B is a financing package combining a bank-relayed loan (applied for through the applicant's house bank) with a direct KfW loan of no greater amount; KfW's share is at most 70% of the debt requirement, with a maximum of 700 million EUR per project. Variant C is a direct loan acting as a cost overrun facility for unforeseen additional costs during construction, capped at 100 million EUR and available at up to 50% of the debt needed for such costs; it can be combined with A or B. Loan terms allow up to 20 years, including up to 3 rent-free years. Equity of at least 30% of total financing is required, of which at least 20% must be contributed upfront before the first debt drawdown. Drawdowns are generally available within 2.5 years of the commitment. Allocation is on a strict first-come basis based on consortium credit commitments. Turbines must meet EEG requirements, and projects must comply with KfW's exclusion list and sector guidelines as well as German environmental and social standards.

Eligibility

Applicants must be project companies (Projektgesellschaften) that invest in offshore wind parks in the German AWZ or the 12-nautical-mile zone of the North and Baltic Seas and require project financing. Projects must meet the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) requirements and be compatible with KfW's exclusion list and sector guidelines. Refinancing of existing debt (Umschuldungen) is excluded. Banks, insurers or comparable financial institutions may not hold more than 25% of the applicant directly or indirectly, except private equity investors, who may hold any stake. Funding cannot be combined with other KfW or ERP programmes or with other federal programmes for financing or guaranteeing investments, but may be combined with other public or Länder programmes provided public risk assumption does not exceed 50% of total external financing. Combination with EIB funds is permitted.

How it's scored

KfW assesses each credit application on project strength, risk and risk mitigation, the ownership structure, a cash flow model verified by an auditor or consultancy, the creditworthiness of the five main project participants, independent wind yield assessments, due diligence reports, and the relevant bank's credit assessment. KfW checks whether it can adopt the risk and creditworthiness assessment of the applying bank and reviews compliance with environmental and social law. No scoring weights or panel composition are disclosed.

Key requirements

• ✓Project must be an offshore wind park in the North or Baltic Sea (EEZ or 12-nautical-mile zone)
• ✓Investor must provide at least 30% equity of total financing need, with at least 20% paid in before first drawdown
• ✓Loan maximums depend on structure: €400M for bank consortia, €700M for bank-routed financing package, €100M for unforeseen cost overruns; terms up to 20 years including 3 years repayment-free

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Bundesregierung / Förderdatenbank offer?

Finanzierung von Offshore-Windenergie offers $770M.

Who can apply for Finanzierung von Offshore-Windenergie?

Eligibility covers organisations in DE; large-company, sme, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Renewable energy funding covers solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy, from early research to grid-scale deployment. Public money tends to back demonstration, grid connection and access to energy in emerging markets, while procurement notices buy installation, operation and maintenance. Calls often ask for proof of resource assessment, permitting progress and local partners.