Engineering Matters Podcast
German offshore wind and the mudflats of the Wadden Sea
Published
13 Oct 2026
Germany needs 70 GW of offshore wind power connected to its grid by 2045, part of an estimated 300 GW total capacity by 2050 for all of the nations bordering the North Sea. To achieve that ambitious goal it needs to run power cables through the Wadden Sea, the world’s largest system of intertidal sands and mudflats. The area is difficult to work within due to its dynamic environment, sensitive habitats, and bird nesting locations that contribute to its World Heritage site status.
The North Sea itself is no picnic, and extensive surveys need to be carried out and actioned at a pace that would be unthinkable without cutting-edge technology and clever programme management. Beyond the challenging offshore conditions, developers must navigate competing uses of the sea, including shipping routes, military practice areas and other designated use areas. This work can be carried out throughout the year using jack-up rigs, uncrewed surface vessels, and remotely operated vehicles.
The resulting data is collated and analysed through cloud-based platforms and advanced AI tools to provide the optimal routes for power cables. The routes are refined and optimised as new survey information becomes available and additional sea-use constraints are introduced by the government and the market.
In this episode Fugro, along with German grid operator TenneT, set out the challenges of working in the narrow German economic zone, as the industry races to meet these connection requirements ahead of a volatile geopolitical situation, and the hungry grid of Europe’s industrial powerhouse.
Guests
Dr Anja Drews, Lead – Lead Offshore Route Engineering, TenneT, Build DC
Mathias Drücker, Senior Advisor for Political Affairs, TenneT
Tony Greig, Solution Owner – Offshore Power Cables, Fugro
Connor Schulze, Business Operations Manager – Marine Cables and Hydrography, Fugro
Resources
More information on Target Grid, TenneT’s vision for the electricity grid of 2045
More information on the Wadden Sea World Heritage site
For more information on the WaveWalker mentioned in this episode, see episode #233 Rebuilding the Dawlish Sea Wall
Partner
This episode was produced by Engineering Matters.
Power cable routing and design
No power cables, no power transmission. But how do you protect your offshore wind farm’s cables? And make sure they work properly? One way is to select the right route and design. That’s where Fugro comes in. We carry out cable route surveys to capture all the information and data you need to find the best cable routes and suitable design for your site. For minimal environmental impact and maximum power generation. Within budget and on schedule.