Wilhelmshaven is looking forward to millions from offshore wind farms from 2026!

Wilhelmshaven is looking forward to millions from offshore wind farms from 2026!

Wilhelmshaven is facing an exciting turnaround: from 2026, the city could benefit from new trade tax guidelines that will bring millions from offshore wind farms into its coffers. This reports NWZonline. The draft amendment to the trade and property tax ordinance has already been approved by the Lower Saxony state government. According to SPD member of the state parliament Marten Gäde, the Ministry of Finance expects annual income of around 36 million euros, which can remain in the city's budget.

These encouraging prospects are the result of a ruling by the Federal Finance Court (BFH) from 2024, which has far-reaching consequences for the collection of trade tax from offshore wind farms. In the future, only municipalities with a direct connection to the business premises will be allowed to levy trade tax, which further underlines Wilhelmshaven's role in the energy transition.

Significant changes to trade tax

As the Grant Thornton reported, the Federal Finance Court decided on December 3, 2024 that the state of Lower Saxony does not have the right to collect trade taxes in offshore areas without municipalities. Only the municipality where the operator is based is allowed to levy this tax. The judgment concerned an offshore wind farm off the coast of Lower Saxony, which is operated by a GmbH & Co. KG.

Lower Saxony used to cover a large part of the revenue, but the new regulation could benefit wind farm operators. They can now benefit from lower assessment rates overall, whereas the old legal situation provided for a 30 percent share for the municipality and 70 percent for the state of Lower Saxony.

Developments for Wilhelmshaven

The financial resources that the new guidelines will bring to city coffers could bring significant improvements in various areas of social infrastructure, education and urban development. Gäde emphasizes the need to use these funds responsibly and invest wisely so that the benefits of the energy transition are visible to the citizens of Wilhelmshaven in the long term.

In the ever-changing landscape of renewable energy, it is crucial that the cities and communities that benefit from these developments also create the right structures and framework conditions. With this new regulation, Wilhelmshaven has the potential to act as an important player in the energy transition, which could have a positive impact on both the local economy and the quality of life of its residents.

Without a doubt, the implementation of these new laws and the allocation of trade tax will bring exciting challenges, but also great opportunities that need to be exploited. The next few months will show to what extent Wilhelmshaven can welcome the wind of change with open arms.

For anyone who would like to find out more about the legal background, the BFH decision on the allocation of trade tax on the [BFH] website (https://www.bundesfinanzhof.de) is an informative starting point.