How we build responsibly

The Gennaker offshore wind farm is being installed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner, applying the highest standards and most advanced technologies available.

Coastal woodland on the German Baltic coast
Birds in flight over the Baltic Sea

Commitments in practice

Our commitments to the marine environment, coastal waters, local communities, responsible tourism and compatible uses of the project area.

Seabird on the German Baltic coast

Nature Partnership

Impacts on the marine environment were assessed during development and minimised wherever possible. Any unavoidable impacts are fully compensated.

Shallow coastal waters of the German Baltic Sea

Habitat Restoration

Restoring the Kleiner Jasmunder Bodden by improving water exchange with the Großer Jasmunder Bodden, to strengthen ecological condition and water quality.

Sailing boats off the Baltic coast

Community Benefit

Approx. 3.8 TWh of clean electricity a year, regional economic value, jobs, and a service base in the maritime business park in Rostock-Warnemünde.

Our commitments in detail

Nature protection, habitat restoration, dual use, community benefits and tourism guide how the Gennaker offshore wind farm is being installed and operated.

Nature partnership

The Gennaker offshore wind farm is being installed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner, applying some of the highest standards and most advanced technologies available. Individual impacts on the marine environment during both installation and operation were assessed, and mitigation measures were planned during the development phase to minimise effects wherever possible. Any unavoidable impacts will be compensated through ecological compensation or replacement measures, or through payments that finance other ecological measures. As a result, the project's impact on the marine environment is fully balanced, achieving a net-zero impact-compensation balance.

Habitat restoration

Compensation measures include restoring the Kleiner Jasmunder Bodden through significant improvements to water exchange with the Großer Jasmunder Bodden. This initiative aims to substantially improve the ecological condition and water quality of both lagoons. Landscape restoration measures are also under consideration, either as part of this measure or in addition to it.

Compatible uses of the project area

As part of the operations, the project is actively seeking to enable and support compatible uses of the area. Discussions with potential partners in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but also elsewhere in Germany and Europe are ongoing, with a focus on exploring aquaculture opportunities, including fish, mussel and seaweed cultivation.

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Community benefit

The Gennaker offshore wind farm will provide substantial benefits to the region and Germany’s energy transition, including:

  • Generation of approximately 3.8 TWh of clean electricity annually, enough to supply approx. one million households.
  • Creation of economic value during manufacturing, installation and operation through engagement with local businesses and the supply chain.
  • Preservation and creation of jobs in the region, especially during the 35 years of operation.
  • Establishment of a service base in the maritime business park in Rostock-Warnemünde.
  • Increased energy security and resilience of the electricity supply in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Germany.
  • A significant contribution to reducing conventional energy imports and supporting Germany’s planned coal power plant phase-out by 2038.

Tourism in the region

As the largest infrastructure investment project in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since reunification, and through its use of state-of-the-art technology, the Gennaker offshore wind farm is expected to become a tourist attraction. The following initiatives are under discussion and consideration with local stakeholders:

  • Supporting development of a tourism strategy that integrates the Gennaker offshore wind farm into the tourism and marketing concept of neighbouring communities on the Darß-Zingst peninsula.
  • Supporting events and activities aimed at improving local and regional acceptance of the project.
  • Enabling sightseeing excursions through the offshore wind farm using passenger vessels operating from neighbouring communities, subject to regulatory approval.