Incorporating Qualitative Criteria in Offshore Wind Tenders: Experiences in Denmark, Finland, Germany, and the Netherlands

Transitioning to a sustainable energy system requires aligning clean energy expansion with socio-economic and environmental objectives. Given that the role of tender design in fostering sustainability has gained recognition, this study examines European policies promoting offshore wind power development and the integration of qualitative criteria in public tenders through a comparative analysis of Denmark, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. As part of the special issue The Lifecycle of Offshore Wind Power: Nordic Legal Perspectives, this study discusses the policy implications of qualitative criteria in offshore wind tenders, highlighting gaps and the need for further research to achieve a more integrated understanding of their overall impact.