Posted on December 3, 2020
The European Union (EU) has launched a bold new strategy on the development of offshore renewable energy writes Andrew Williams.
The strategy proposes significant increases in the capacity of the offshore wind and maritime energy sector over the next three decades.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Published in late November, the Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy sets out detailed plans for increasing offshore wind capacity across the continent from its existing level of 12GW to ‘at least’ 60GW by 2030 and to 300GW by 2050 – with plans for an additional 40GW of capacity from ocean energy and other emerging technologies such as floating wind and offshore solar by 2050.
In order to achieve these targets, the European Commission intends to buoy up the expansion of offshore energy capacity by promoting international cooperation between EU Member States in activities such as long-term planning and deployment – including through the integration of offshore renewable energy development objectives in the National Maritime Spatial Plans that coastal countries are scheduled to file with the Commission by March next year. The EU’s executive arm will also put forward a framework as part of the reworked TEN-E Regulation for long-term offshore grid planning, involving regulators and the Member States across EU sea basins, which include the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
KEY ACTIONS
The Commission estimates that around €800 billion of investment will be required to achieve the proposed objectives and targets between now and the middle of the century. In order to help ‘generate and unleash’ this investment, the Commission plans to carry out a number of key actions as part of a coordinated effort across the EU.
Key Actions of the EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy (2020)
Provide a clear and supportive legal framework
* Clarify electricity market rules (via an accompanying Staff Working Document).
* Assess whether more specific and targeted rules are needed.
* Ensure revisions of State aid guidelines on energy and environmental protection and Renewable Energy Directive facilitate cost-effective deployment of renewable offshore energy.
Help Mobilise Relevant Funds to Support Offshore Renewable Energy Sector Development
* Encourage Member States to use the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
* Encourage Member States to work together with European Investment Bank and other financial institutions to support investments in offshore energy through InvestEU.
* Mobilise Horizon Europe funds to support research and development, particularly in less mature technologies.
Ensure a Strengthened Supply Chain
* Underline need to improve manufacturing capacity and port infrastructure and increase appropriately skilled workforce to sustain higher installation rates.
* Establish a dedicated platform on offshore renewables within the Clean Energy Industrial Forum to bring together all actors and address supply chain development.
GLOBAL LEADER
According to an EU spokesperson, offshore wind ‘has developed into a story of undisputed European technological and industrial leadership,’ and offshore renewable energy as a whole is viewed as something of a success story in Europe – especially since over 90% of the offshore wind capacity across the continent has been generated by EU companies and more than 40% of the world’s current offshore wind capacity is in EU waters. The EU is also a trailblazer in the development of marine energy technologies – with the trading bloc possessing some thirds of global patents in tidal energy and 44% of patents in wave energy technology.
“In terms of value added and employment growth, the offshore renewable energy sector is now outperforming the conventional energy sector,” says the spokesperson.
“This Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy will underpin the further expansion of this industry, and will stimulate further progress towards meeting our ambitious climate targets for 2030 and beyond,” they add.
Source: maritimejournal
