Germany – Research and development services and related consultancy services – Assessment of strategic stakeholder needs, environmental conflicts, and acceleration potentials in energy network planning and implementation to safeguard the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site

Scope and Tasks - The geographic scope of the work covers the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and includes both existing and planned infrastructure across the three states with the focus on the Territorial Waters. Relevant examples and best practices from other North Sea countries, as well as from global contexts, should also be considered where informative. The technological scope focuses primarily on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) infrastructure crossing and landing within the World Heritage Site, as well as on the limited cases in which high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) infrastructure is expected to cross the area. Natural gas pipeline development, which has played a significant historical role, may be considered where it provides informative context. In addition, hydrogen/CCS pipelines, currently at earlier stages of planning, are also relevant to this assessment. The project phase scope includes the planning and permitting phases as well as implementation, maintenance, and decommissioning. The work will be completed in 3 phases: 1. Data collection phase Questionnaire - Needs assessment and mapping of strategic stakeholders - The consultant shall conduct a targeted needs assessment through structured verbal interviews, guided by a written questionnaire. The objective is to identify key conflicts, practical barriers, bottlenecks and risks affecting planning, permitting, implementation, and maintenance of energy infrastructure near and below the transboundary Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and across the diverse Wadden Sea countries" procedures. Examples could include environmental risks and uncertainties, institutional capacity bottlenecks, cross-border coordination challenges, stakeholder conflicts, and gaps between formal procedures and real-world practice. Desktop study - Map in detail the planning and permitting processes for the Wadden Sea countries - The consultant shall map planning, permitting, and governance processes for high-voltage cables as well as gas-, H2- and CCS Pipelines crossing the Wadden Sea World Heritage Area in each Wadden Sea country, as well as the three German Wadden Sea federal states jurisdictions. Outputs shall be clear, comparable, and presented in accessible formats (e.g. flow charts, tables). Deliver a workshop - To promote discussion, get feedback and gain further insights into the data collected, the consultant will host a one-day workshop with approximately 25 participants which will complement the research. The Workshop will be developed in collaboration with the TWSC. 2. Analysis phase Based on the data collected in Phase 1, the consultant shall undertake a structured comparative analysis. The analysis shall (but not limited to): - compare permitting and planning processes across the three Wadden Sea countries as well as the three Wadden Sea German federal states, highlighting key similarities and differences, - identify and categorise key conflicts, practical barriers, bottlenecks and risks by project phase, governance level, and type of impact (environmental, procedural, legal, socio-economic), - assess alignment and inconsistencies in environmental assessment methods, thresholds, mitigation and compensation requirements, data standards, and monitoring approaches. 3. Recommendations phase Based on Phases 1 and 2, the consultant shall develop clear and implementable recommendations. - produce a comprehensive report identifying key environmental conflicts, bottlenecks, and acceleration potentials for planning, permitting, implementation, and maintenance, - develop actionable acceleration potentials specifying concrete activities, responsible actors, indicative timelines, and resource implications, - identify opportunities for cross-border collaboration and alignment (e.g. data sharing, standards, study design), - present draft recommendations to TWSC and selected stakeholders and integrate feedback into final outputs. Deliverables 1. Updated stakeholder map and questionnaire - An updated stakeholder map delivered as an Excel file including organisation, country/state, stakeholder type, role in planning/permitting/implementation, and level of influence. A structured written questionnaire to guide verbal interviews, aligned with project objectives and focused on implementation barriers, environmental risks, coordination challenges, and real-world permitting and planning experience. 2. Raw data table of questionnaire responses - A table containing raw responses from approximately 15 stakeholders across countries/ federal states and stakeholder groups. Responses shall follow the questionnaire structure and allow traceability by stakeholder type and country. 3. Needs assessment report - A concise (approx. 10 page) analytical report (with graphics) synthesizing the questionnaire results from raw data collected in deliverable 2. 4. Delivering a Workshop - A workshop will be prepared and led by the consultant presenting the needs assessment report and facilitating debate and discussion to inform the final report. 5. Draft report and presentation of preliminary results - Based on the needs assessment report and desktop research, complete a draft report covering the comparative permitting and planning analysis, identification of bottlenecks and best practices, and draft recommendations. Two review rounds included. A presentation of preliminary findings and recommendations to the TWSC and selected stakeholders, with feedback reflected in the revised draft. 6. Final report - A final report incorporating all TWSC comments, produced in house style and ready for translation and publication. The report shall present clear, implementable non-binding recommendations with defined actions, responsible actors, indicative timelines, and resource implications. All supporting data and materials shall be delivered in editable formats.