Despite all the digitalization, the shortest connection between people is and remains personal dialogue.

For this reason, Katharina Jensen (CDU), member of the state parliament, invited Niedersachsens Minister of Economic Affairs Olaf Lies (SPD), the local members of the state parliament and the "Ports and Shipping" subcommittee and the Wilhelmshavener Hafenwirtschafts-Vereinigung e.V. (WHV e.V.) to the CDU's constituency office in Jever on August 5, 2024 to discuss the latest development of the energy hub on the Jade.

The many years of experience as well as the well-founded expertise and assessment of the port business promoters were in demand. Minister of Economic Affairs Olaf Lies (SPD) and members of the state parliament Katharina Jensen (CDU), Sina Beckmann (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) and Marten Gäde (SPD) wanted to be brought up to date beyond the protocol by WHV President John H. Niemann and his fellow board members Hans-Joachim Uhlendorf (Vice President) and Hans Joachim Schweinsberg. "We are very pleased with this appreciation of our voluntary work," emphasized John H. Niemann, who has led the association for 33 years. The joint discussion therefore focused on the following key topics:

JadeWeserPort II

The WindGuard study from September 2023 puts it in a nutshell: "The currently usable port areas and quay facilities in the German ports are largely utilized." This raises the question of which locations are actually suitable for these purposes.

There are only a few expansion options on the German North Sea coast for the special requirements of installation and base ports for offshore wind turbines. Wilhelmshaven's deep-water port has the best prerequisites for coping with this mammoth task.

"In its second construction phase, the JadeWeserPort (JWP) can be realized in such a way that it will fulfill several strategic functions as a multi-purpose port," emphasizes the Executive Board. This is why WHV e.V. - along with numerous other business associations and experts - sees the port expansion as a national task.

The Wilhelmshaven port industry promoters therefore called on the German government some time ago to provide the necessary funds for concrete project planning in the short term: "In view of the political goals for the expansion of renewable energies at sea, only the future JadeWeserPort II will have the necessary logistics potential for the development of offshore wind farms in the long term."

Port infrastructure

In order to be internationally recognized and competitive as a port, a functioning, modern infrastructure is required. Despite the generally favorable framework conditions, this means that Wilhelmshaven has to deal intensively with its own weak points. In this context, these are largely measures that have stagnated for years or have only been driven forward slowly.

This includes the sea lock problem, for example: "The long-overdue repair of the Wilhelmshaven double lock is a symbol of the neglected port infrastructure on the north German coast in many places." WHV e.V. therefore appeals to all decision-makers to speed up such measures without red tape.

The same applies to hinterland connections: Here, bottlenecks on the railroads need to be eliminated (for example the Hunte bridge in Oldenburg, the expansion of the connections to Bremen and Osnabrück) and on the road the further construction of the A20 from Westerstede via Jaderberg to Bremerhaven needs to be realized. There are also fears that the single lane on the A29 will remain permanently due to the dilapidated bridge just before the JWP in Wilhelmshaven.

Ecology and economy

The company Tree Energy Solutions (TES) is planning to build the Green Energy Hub on 145 hectares in Voslapper Groden Nord. This energy park is to serve as a central hub for the import, production and distribution of green energy. However, the planned site is still part of the Natura 2000 area and therefore an EU bird sanctuary. Official procedures have been underway for years to clear the site in exchange for other areas.

As a member of the "Communities for Biodiversity" alliance, Wilhelmshaven plays a pioneering and exemplary role here: "As a city on the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site, we can prove that ecology and economy do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive," explains the Executive Board. WHV e.V. supports the efforts to achieve the prompt removal of the Groden areas and the creation of adequate coherence areas elsewhere, which TES says it wants to "transform into optimal habitats for all flora and fauna".

De-bureaucratization

With regard to the EnergyHub - Port of Wilhelmshaven (PoW), WHV e.V. is in favor of the creation of a special economic zone or so-called Net-Zero-Valley benefits. These include funding for projects, more investment, simpler approval procedures, infrastructure expansion, the establishment of local competence centers and the creation of high-quality jobs.

WHV e.V. is also calling for funding from the national port strategy. With regard to the study by the German Energy Agency (dena) to determine the need for port expansion for energy transition projects, the association is also in favor of a complete list of all funded energy transition projects. This document should be compiled by the responsible federal ministry in view of its transnational significance.

Added value

For the Wilhelmshaven region, the port industry promoters want Niedersachsen to send a clear political signal "Pro Wilhelmshaven". With joint strategic goals, successive support for projects and marketing such as the first LNG terminal under the umbrella term "Boom Region Northwest".

In the eyes of WHV e.V., a visible signal for the location would be if major investors were obliged to relocate a company headquarters to Wilhelmshaven: "This is how we keep trade tax revenue in the region."

Of course, this presupposes that suitable framework conditions for the establishment of trade and industry are created in advance in cooperation with regional associations and educational institutions. "It is an important signal if the added value is created early and sustainably in Wilhelmshaven and in the neighboring districts," says Economics Minister Olaf Lies, describing the declared goal.

The high quality of life in the Jade should then be promoted throughout Germany. "Anyone who offers qualified jobs, good schools and affordable housing is extremely attractive as a place to live. Especially for young families," say the Wilhelmshaven port business promoters.

Conclusion

In discussions with the minister and the members of the state parliament, a common understanding became clear on many points that the unique opportunities of the Wilhelmshaven region with regard to project development and value creation should continue to be intensively promoted and that a regular exchange should be maintained in this regard.