Sharing knowhow in offshore wind construction
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From 0 to 175 by 2050

Poised for growth

Around 80 percent of China’s electricity generation in 2050 can be met by renewable sources if appropriate policies and measures are taken, according to a report by Energy Transition Research Institute and WWF from February 2014*. And that has big implications for offshore wind in China.
From a starting point of 0 in 2011, the report projects possible growth in capacity to 175 GW by 2050. Interestingly, the report also finds that the total cost of power generation is less if transitioned to 80% renewable electricity sources by 2050 than if no specific clean energy or efficiency policies were made.

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An industry on the move

By Martin Huss, CSO, A2SEA

Northern Europe can be proud of its well-developed offshore wind supply chain. After all, it uniquely boasts a track record stretching over more than a decade, sophisticated knowhow and facilities, and last but certainly not least, a qualified workforce that has gotten its feet wet with a wide variety of turbines, foundations, wind farm locations and weather conditions. Continue reading →

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Size matters

Super-sized monopiles are a tough challenge for the offshore wind supply chain. But where will it end?

Larger and larger, it seems. In July, foundation manufacturer EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH achieved a 10 m diameter cylinder rolled from a 31.4 x 3 m plate! The company is expecting to receive initial enquiries for projects with diameters of up to 9 m already this year.

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Governments must stop messing with renewable energy support mechanisms

By Thomas Becker, CEO, EWEA

When you spend money on something, you expect to get something back. If you spend it on a house, you expect to get somewhere nice to live – and if you sell it later on, to make a reasonable profit. If you are a financier looking to invest millions in an offshore wind farm, you expect a return on your investment. If that return becomes uncertain, you will put your money elsewhere. Continue reading →

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The start-stop challenge

By Kaj Lindvig, Senior Advisor, A2SEA A/S

Stable, long-term policy support and almost super-human planning skills are must-haves for any industry that involves projects as large and as lengthy as today’s offshore wind farms. Perhaps understandably, getting that kind of support in place is no easy task – particularly with the number of stakeholders and considerations involved. The result, particularly where the German market is concerned, is a bumpy, start-stop ride whose costs implications have damaged the industry’s reputation and attractiveness to investors. Continue reading →