Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 10, Germany’s Economy Ministry has announced a strategy to diversify the sourcing of key components for offshore wind turbines by 2035, aiming to reduce reliance on a single supplier. This initiative supports efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Offshore wind currently contributes only 5% of the country’s power demand, and increasing this capacity is crucial to cutting carbon emissions.
The plan addresses the risks of depending heavily on one country for critical materials, particularly after recent energy supply challenges. Offshore wind turbines rely on powerful permanent magnets made from rare earth elements to optimize energy output and reduce maintenance needs. However, the limited availability of these materials creates supply vulnerabilities.
The ministry stated: “Permanent magnets nearly all come from China, which also applies to the rare earths from which they are produced. We want to systematically reduce critical dependencies, for example on rare earths, from individual third countries.” Currently, one country supplies approximately 90% of permanent magnets used across industries, including wind energy, electric vehicles, and manufacturing.
Germany aims to triple its offshore wind capacity to 30 gigawatts by 2030, up from its current contribution of 5% to national power demand. Expanding this capacity is vital for reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuel-based electricity. To achieve this, the ministry has developed a roadmap in collaboration with domestic and European wind industry partners.
The roadmap sets targets to source 30% of permanent magnets from alternative suppliers by 2030, increasing to 50% by 2035. Potential partnerships with countries like Australia and Japan are under consideration, supported by investment guarantees and long-term delivery contracts to establish new procurement channels.
In April 2025, Vestas secured a contract to supply 68 V236-15MW turbines for Vattenfall’s Nordlicht 1 offshore wind project in Germany, covering turbine supply, installation, and commissioning. This project aligns with Germany’s broader efforts to enhance renewable energy infrastructure.
By diversifying supply chains and fostering international collaborations, Germany seeks to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of critical components for its wind energy sector, supporting its climate goals and energy transition.
