German Ministry Seeking FINO 2 Research Platform Operator

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) has issued a tender seeking an operator of the FINO 2 research platform.

The operator will provide scheduled maintenance and repair, organization of research operations in coordination with the measuring institutes, as well as update the usage and security concept.

The selected party will also be in charge of ensuring future research needs, ensuring the technical security of the platform and the safety of people and the environment, public relations, and coordination and cooperation with all relevant authorities.

BMWi plans to commission the operation of FINO 2 by 31 August 2024, with an optional one-year extension.

The platform is located in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), about 33km north of the island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea.

The contract is for a period of four years, with an optional one-year extension from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.

The deadline for submitting applications for the tender is 27 April by 1:00 p.m. local time.

BMWi has also launched a tender for scientific support for regional cooperation in the expansion of renewable energies from offshore wind in the North Sea and the EU, especially the Baltic Sea.