Maritime sectoral planning

Site Development Plan

The site development plan is the maritime sectoral plan for offshore wind energy. It defines the sites for offshore wind turbines and their grid connections as well as the schedule for realising the national expansion targets. Interconnectors and areas for other forms of energy generation are defined. The Offshore Wind Energy Act (Windenergie-auf-See-Gesetz - WindSeeG) and the existing maritime spatial plans form the main basis for the BSH's designations in the site development plan.

The site development plan sets out standard technical principles and planning principles for offshore wind farms and their grid connections. It is the central steering tool for the expansion of offshore wind energy.

The BSH regularly updates the site development plan. Authorities and the public are extensively involved in a multi-stage process. A strategic environmental assessment determines, describes and evaluates the potential impact of the plans on the marine environment.

The current site development plan was published on 20 January 2023. On 1 September 2023, the BSH initiated a procedure to update and amend the site development plan.

Steps for updating the site development plan:

Schaubild Flächenentwicklungsplan

The site development plan continues the task of federal spatial offshore grid planning (Bundesfachplan Offshore - BFO), which has been carried out by the BSH since 2011.