German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation

What German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation does

The German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation (Stiftung OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE) is a private nonprofit foundation established in 2005 on the initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, with participation from Germany's coastal states and all industry sectors active in offshore wind. Headquartered in Varel with representative offices in Hamburg and Berlin, the organization employs approximately 10–12 core staff and operates as a non-partisan, cross-regional think-tank and coordination platform for the German and European offshore wind sector. Its stakeholders include federal and state ministries, transmission system operators (50Hertz, Amprion), turbine and component manufacturers, maritime companies, banks, insurers, certifiers, and industry associations. The foundation generates no commercial product revenue; its funding comes from Board of Trustees (Kuratorium) membership fees, project grants from DBU, BMUV, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Environment, and EU Interreg NWE, plus industry sponsorships. Its portfolio spans policy advocacy and regulatory engagement (WindSeeG, RED III implementation, the November 2022 Offshore Agreement), the alpha ventus test field legacy, EU-funded sustainability programs (ORESA, €5.6M / 2025–2028), educational outreach (WIN(D)SCHOOL, OffshoreWind4Kids, touring 'Fascination Offshore' exhibition), environmental projects (GhostOff ghost-net recovery), publications, and semi-annual industry expansion statistics co-produced with Deutsche WindGuard. The foundation's core technology footprint is limited to communication channels (monthly newsletter, podcast, press releases, social media) and a professional job-matching database; it does not develop proprietary technology products. Its competitive position rests on two decades of institutional network density, regulatory embeddedness, and trusted-convener status rather than on product or technology differentiation.

Name

German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation

Legal name

Stiftung OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE

Website

https://offshore-stiftung.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation (Stiftung OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE), founded in 2005, is a German nonprofit think-tank and coordination platform that convenes government, industry, and research stakeholders to advance offshore wind policy, education, and sustainability programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Wind Farm Development & Permitting (Greenfield/Brownfield) (EUACAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wind Grid Interconnection & Power Systems (Transformers, Reactive Power, SCADA) (EUAMACAK)

Keywords

• Offshore wind energy
• Renewable energy advocacy
• Policy research
• Industry stakeholder engagement
• Energy education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Varel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation funding and project grants: As a nonprofit foundation established in 2005, the organization is funded through Kuratorium (Board of Trustees) membership fees, project-based grants from government bodies (e.g., EU Interreg NWE, DBU, Lower Saxony Ministry of Environment, BMUV), and sponsorships from industry partners. The foundation does not generate commercial revenue from product sales or service fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Stiftung OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE is a private nonprofit foundation that serves as the central cross-sectoral think-tank and networking platform for the German and European offshore wind energy sector. Its core activities include policy advocacy and regulatory analysis, coordination of a multi-stakeholder Kuratorium (Board of Trustees) and Scientific Advisory Board, production of authoritative industry statistics, management of EU-funded sustainability and education projects (ORESA, WIN(D)SCHOOL), and delivery of youth STEM education and industry networking programs.

Product overview

The German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation operates as a non-partisan, cross-regional think-tank and networking platform for offshore wind energy in Germany and Europe. Rather than a unified software product, the foundation offers a portfolio of educational initiatives (WIN(D)SCHOOL, OffshoreWind4Kids), sustainability projects (ORESA), touring exhibitions, publications, professional networking services, and coordinates the alpha ventus offshore test field. The offering functions as an integrated ecosystem of advocacy, education, and industry coordination rather than a traditional product-platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OffshoreWind4Kids: Construction kit system for children aged 8-14 to learn about offshore wind energy, part of educational outreach programs
• alpha ventus
• WIN(D)SCHOOL
• ORESA

Products and services

• ORESA - Offshore Renewable Energy Sustainability Alliance A European sustainability project funded by Interreg Nordwesteuropa that promotes sustainable innovation in the offshore industry by supporting SMEs with accelerator programs, life cycle assessments, circular economy principles, and nature-inclusive design concepts. Delivered across five countries (Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands) via Sustainability Hubs.
• WIN(D)SCHOOL educational program A three-year DBU-funded educational project (2024-2027) that provides STEM-focused school workshops for Hamburg students on offshore wind energy and climate change, including career orientation modules for grades 5-10. Delivered in partnership with RUZ Hollen environmental education center.
• OffshoreWind4Kids construction kit Miniature wind turbine construction kits that enable children aged 8-14 to learn about offshore wind energy through hands-on building and testing of small-scale wind power models, used in schools and at public events.
• Touring Exhibition "Faszination Offshore" A mobile touring exhibition showcasing offshore wind energy technology, operations, and career opportunities. The exhibition travels to schools and public venues across Germany.
• Fachkräftebörse (Professionals Database) An online database connecting professionals with job opportunities in the offshore wind energy sector, linking job seekers with companies in the industry across roles in industrial mechatronics, welding, electrical engineering, and other technical disciplines.
• Publications and Studies Position papers, policy statements, and research publications analyzing offshore wind energy developments, regulatory frameworks, and expansion strategies, including the authoritative semi-annual "Status des Offshore-Windenergieausbaus" (Status of Offshore Wind Expansion) report produced jointly with Deutsche WindGuard.

Quantifiable outcome

• Facilitated the development of Germany's first offshore wind farm alpha ventus (2010), proving technical and financial feasibility of German offshore projects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dutch Marine Energy Centre (DMEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DMEC is the Lead Partner of the ORESA project. The foundation works with DMEC as part of a 12-partner consortium funded by Interreg NWE (€5.6M total, €3.35M ERDF). DMEC coordinates the 5-country sustainability hub network.
• Institut für Seeverkehrswirtschaft und Logistik (ISL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The foundation collaborates with ISL as a partner in the German Sustainability Hub within ORESA. ISL brings shipping economics and logistics expertise to the sustainability accelerator program for offshore SMEs.
• Ghost Diving Germany e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The foundation partners with Ghost Diving Germany e.V. on the GhostOff project to remove ghost nets from the Baltic Sea around offshore wind areas. Up to 11 volunteer divers from across Germany participated in the 2025 campaign, removing ~1,000 m² of nets with BMUV funding.
• Blue Cluster (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Belgian marine and offshore energy cluster participating in the ORESA consortium, contributing to the cross-border sustainability hub network.
• France Energies Marines (France)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025French marine energy institute participating in the ORESA consortium, contributing expertise to the sustainability hub network and SME accelerator program.
• Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Irish national sustainable energy authority participating in the ORESA consortium, supporting the sustainability hub network in Ireland.
• Universiteit Gent (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner in the ORESA consortium providing research expertise to the sustainability hub network and SME support activities.
• Exceedence Ltd. (Ireland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Irish sustainability consultancy participating in the ORESA consortium, contributing to the SME accelerator program and sustainability analysis.
• Blue Pelican Capital (France)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025French investment/sustainability entity participating in the ORESA consortium, providing financing perspective to the SME accelerator program.
• POM West-Vlaanderen (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Province development organization for West Flanders, Belgium, participating in the ORESA consortium and the Belgian sustainability hub.
• Navingo BV (Netherlands)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Dutch maritime and offshore media/events company participating in the ORESA consortium, contributing to the Dutch sustainability hub and knowledge dissemination.
• Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie e.V. (BEE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation holds membership in BEE, the German Renewable Energy Federation, to jointly promote the expansion of renewable energies and strengthen their importance in the public sphere.
• WAB e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005National contact partner for the offshore wind industry and onshore network in Northwest Germany, also promoting green hydrogen from wind power. The foundation collaborates with WAB on the German Sustainability Hub within the ORESA project and is listed as a partner of WAB.
• WindEuropecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation is a member of WindEurope, the European wind energy association, to promote offshore wind energy expansion at the European level and engage in cross-border policy dialogue.
• WindEnergy Network e.V. (WEN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Regional network for wind energy in Northeast Germany with ~100 member companies. Focus areas include wind energy onshore and offshore, maritime technologies, and green hydrogen development.
• Bundesverband Windenergie Offshore e.V. (BWO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation cooperates with BWO, the central offshore wind industry association in Germany, on joint press releases, policy advocacy, and industry statistics. BWO is a key partner in publishing the semi-annual offshore wind expansion data.
• Bundesverband WindEnergie (BWE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation collaborates with BWE, which represents over 3,000 wind energy companies and ~17,000 members. Joint activities include press releases, policy statements, and industry advocacy.
• Regionales Umweltbildungszentrum Hollen e.V. (RUZ Hollen)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Regional environmental education center collaborating with the foundation on the WIN(D)SCHOOL project, providing educational expertise and learning stations including wind measurement, values quadrant activities, and the 'Offshore-Monopoly' learning format.
• Offshore-Wind-Industrie-Allianz (OWIA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation works with OWIA, the Offshore Wind Industry Alliance, to advance the interests of the German offshore wind sector.
• Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation cooperates with VDMA Power Systems, representing manufacturers and suppliers of power generation equipment including wind energy systems.
• Gesellschaft für Maritime Technik e.V. (GMT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Society for Maritime Technology, representing maritime technology companies. The foundation collaborates with GMT on issues at the intersection of offshore wind and maritime industry.
• Institut für Klimaschutz, Energie und Mobilität (IKEM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility, providing legal and policy expertise in energy and climate matters relevant to offshore wind development.
• Deutsch-franzosisches Büro für die EnergiewendeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Franco-German Office for the Energy Transition, facilitating bilateral cooperation on energy policy between Germany and France. The foundation holds membership to strengthen cross-border energy transition dialogue.
• DFMRS e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Research association focused on measurement, control, and systems technology, contributing to the Scientific Advisory Board and working groups on electricity networks and storage.
• WindEnergieZirkel Hanse e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Regional wind energy network in the Hanseatic league area, facilitating networking and knowledge exchange among wind energy stakeholders in northern Germany.
• Deutsche Offshore-Testfeld- und Infrastruktur-GmbH & Co. KG (DOTI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation transferred the alpha ventus project rights to DOTI in 2006. DOTI operates the alpha ventus test field as a joint venture of EWE, E.ON, and Vattenfall. The foundation held permits for alpha ventus and supported the entire process from concept (2005) to commissioning (2010).
• Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) — founding partnercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005The foundation was established in 2005 on the initiative and under moderation of the Federal Ministry for the Environment (now BMUV). Coastal states and all industry sectors engaged in offshore wind participated in the founding. BMUV continues to support foundation projects including GhostOff ghost net removal.
• Coastal state governments (founding partners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005All German coastal states participated in the foundation's founding in 2005 and remain represented on the Board of Trustees, contributing to the foundation's cross-regional character and policy influence.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WAB e.V. (Windenergie-Agentur Bremerhaven / Bremen): National contact partner for the offshore wind industry and onshore network in Northwest Germany. Both organizations are member-based advocacy and networking bodies for offshore wind in Germany, collaborate directly on the ORESA German Sustainability Hub, and represent overlapping value-chain stakeholders.
• WindEurope: European wind energy association of which the foundation is a member. Both organizations promote offshore wind expansion through policy advocacy, networking, and knowledge exchange at the European level — direct peer in the European offshore wind advocacy ecosystem.
• Bundesverband WindEnergie e.V. (BWE): Germany's largest wind energy industry association representing over 3,000 companies and ~17,000 members. The foundation collaborates with BWE on joint press releases, policy statements, and industry advocacy — direct peer in the broader German wind energy policy space.
• Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie e.V. (BEE): German Renewable Energy Federation. The foundation is a member and both organizations jointly promote the expansion of renewable energies and strengthen their public importance — direct peer in the broader German renewables advocacy ecosystem.
• Bundesverband Windenergie Offshore e.V. (BWO): Central German offshore wind industry association. The foundation cooperates with BWO on joint press releases, policy advocacy, and the semi-annual expansion statistics — direct peer in the same policy/advocacy niche.

Regional players

• WindEnergy Network e.V. (WEN): Regional wind energy network in Northeast Germany with ~100 member companies covering onshore and offshore wind, maritime technologies, and green hydrogen. Comparable to the foundation as a regional advocacy and networking platform, but geographically focused on Northeast Germany rather than national.

Emerging players

• Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI): European multi-stakeholder platform promoting the development of power grids for renewable energy integration. Both organizations operate as neutral convening platforms bridging industry, policy, and civil society on renewables infrastructure — thematic peer in the energy transition advocacy space.

Others

• Gesellschaft für Maritime Technik e.V. (GMT): Society for Maritime Technology representing maritime technology companies. Both organizations collaborate on issues at the intersection of offshore wind and maritime industry, with the foundation focusing on the wind side and GMT on the broader maritime technology ecosystem.
• Deutsche WindGuard GmbH: Wind energy measurement, consulting, and certification firm that co-publishes the semi-annual offshore wind expansion statistics with the foundation. Comparable as a wind sector knowledge provider, though Deutsche WindGuard is a for-profit services firm rather than a nonprofit foundation.

Broad incumbents

• VDMA Power Systems: German engineering federation representing manufacturers and suppliers of power generation equipment including wind energy systems. Both organizations are convening bodies for the wind sector, with VDMA focusing more on the manufacturing side and the foundation on the broader development/permitting side.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiftung-offshore-windenergie
• Facebookfacebook.com/OffshoreWindStiftung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation