Deploying offshore wind in Europe

In December 2020, the European Union commited to a historic climate target to reduce green house gas emissions by 55 % in 2030 on their path towards becoming climate neutral in 2050. To reach this the member states will have to deploy several green and sustainable technologies within the areas of both energy, water, waste, environment and cities. One of the major potentials lie in the deployment of offshore wind energy in Europe. The EU target is to install 300 GW by 2050, meaning the region has to build 25 times the capacity we have today. It is clear that pace needs to be catalyzed if the offshore wind and climate targets are to be reached. The Danish MEP Morten Helveg Pedersen has been selected as the European Parlaiment’s lead on drawing up the strategy on offshore renewable energy.

A key element highlighted not only by the strategy but also many offshore wind stakeholders is the need to enable so-called hybrid projects e.g. through ‘hubs’ or ‘Energy-Islands’ combining offshore wind transmission and interconnection infrastructure thus leveraging synergies to increase asset utilisation, reducing the relative costs of both functions. Due to the large potential of such hybrid projects several stakeholders are already working intensely realizing such concepts, thus as also underlined by the offshore renewable energy strategy, it is clear that one key requirement is an amendment of current regulatory framework.

This event will present and take a stock-take on the current offshore wind situation in EU, as well as illuminate the main challenges and opportunities to fulfill the ambitious deployment of offshore wind energy as set out by the offshore renewable energy strategy.