Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the introduction of Section 17 of the EnWG (German Energy Economy Act), the legislator created a new situation for the complex relationships in the German offshore wind industry. The transmission system operators are now obliged not only to provide the connection for offshore wind farms, but also to reimburse the developers of such plants for the costs they incurred in the course of planning the cable connection between the wind farm and the onshore grid. Forecasts had predicted that by 2007 numerous offshore wind farms would be operational. But no development company in the entire sector had moved beyond the planning phase. However, the rapid development of the offshore wind industry is important in order to achieve the German goal to generate 20% of all energy from renewable energy sources by 2020 and thus contribute to the prevention of grave climate changes. It is also important for the domestic labour market and the initiation of further exports of energy technologies. Early domestic growth will eventually payoff as offshore wind energy is implemented by more countries, which will then rely on the experience of German companies. Under these circumstances, Section 17 (2a) S.3 of the EnWG induces a positive impulse for offshore development. Under the financial constraints that dampened the expectations of developers of offshore wind farms, the suggested reimbursement will offer welcome relief. However a broad interpretation of Section 17 (2a) S.3 of the EnWG must be applied in order to reach the goal of actually enhancing offshore development, as is the legislator's intent. Such a broad interpretation of the reimbursement claim will lead to rapid implementation of the new law, as this will be in the interest of the developers and transmission system operators. The developers will have a large interest in beginning with the actual construction of the wind farm, and the transmission system operators will need to proceed with the planning of the cable connection. Even though improvements remain necessary the introduction of Section 17 (2a) S.3 EnWG can be considered a success. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die inwerkingstelling van afdeling 17 van die EnGW (Duitse Energie Ekonomie Wet), het die regering 'n nuwe situasie geskep vir die komplekse verhouding in die Duitse see-gebonde wind-energie industrie. Die transmissie stelsel operateurs word nou verplig om nie net die verbinding met die wind-plaas te verskaf nie, maar moet ook die ontwikkelaar van die aanleg vergoed vir enige kostes wat hulle aangegaan het met die beplanning van die verbinding tussen die windplaas en die elektrisiteits-netwerk. Vooruitskattings het voorspel dat verskeie see-gebonde windplase operasioneel sou wees teen 2007. Geen ontwikkelingsmaatskappy het egter al tot dusver verder as die beplanningstadium gevorder nie. Desnieteenstaande, die spoedige ontwikkeling van die see-gebonde wind industrie is onontbeerlik in die Duitse mikpunt om 20% van energiebehoeftes op te wek vanuit hernubare bronne teen 2020 en om dus klimaatsverandering teen te werk. Dit is ook belangrik vir werkskepping in Duitsland en vir die uitvoer van energie tegnologie. Spoedige groei in die industrie sal uiteindelik dividende lewer soos seegebonde wind-energie deur ander lande ontwikkel word en gevolglik op Duitse ervaring moet staatmaak. Onder hierdie omstandighede het afdeling 17 (2a) 5.3 van die EnGW 'n positiewe effek op seegebonde ontwikkeling. As gevolg van die dempende effek wat finansiele beperkinge het op die verwagtinge van ontwikkelaars sal die terugbetalings welkome verligting bied. Dit is egter nodig om 'n bree interpretasie van afdeling 17 (2a) 5.3 van die EnGW te gebruik om die mikpunt van werklike bevordering van seegebonde ontwikkeling te bewerkstellig soos die wetgewer beoog. So 'n bree interpretasie sal lei tot spoedige implimentasie van die nuwe wet omdat dit in die belang van ontwikkelaars en transmissie-netwerk eienaars sal wees. Die ontwikkelaars sal baat daarby om spoedig met ontwikkeling te begin, terwyl die netwerk operateurs vordering sal moet maak met die beplanning van die kabel-verbinding. Ten spyte daarvan dat verdere verbeteringe nodig is kan die inwerkingstelling van afdeling 17 (2a) 5.3 van die EnGW as 'n sukses gereken word.