Page 12 - AsiaElec Week 11 2022

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New report identifies floating

offshore wind’s “enormous

potential” in energy transition

GLOBAL THE Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has floating offshore wind potential of 3,861GW,
published a new report, Floating Offshore Wind equivalent to between 2.6 times – for Italy
– a Global Opportunity, setting out the “enor- – and an astonishing 69 times – for Ireland –
mous role” that opportunity floating offshore their current electricity demand, said the trade
wind presents globally. The report was compiled association.
by Aegir Insights. Ireland‘s highly ambitious government plans,
The technology is central to global ambitions coupled with favourable site conditions make for
to reach Net Zero by 2050, said GWEC. an attractive floating offshore wind market, pro-
The report focuses on five countries – Ireland, vided that the transmission grid and port infra-
Italy, Morocco, Philippines and USA – which all structure is upgraded, said the report.
have significant floating wind potential. The In Italy, a commitment to net zero is driv-
most mature floating markets are the UK, South ing the growth of wind power. A lack of space
Korea, France and Japan. on land and the absence of sites suitable for
Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Philippines and USA fixed-bottom wind will drive a focus onto float-
are the ‘chasing pack’, and together with the ing offshore wind, it continued.
most mature floating markets could spearhead Morocco has a great wind resource, a lack of
the next wave of floating wind. The global race access to fixed offshore wind, coupled with gov-
to develop this technology is already underway, ernment desire to meet green goals and increase
and these countries can catch up to the current energy security. This means high interest in
market leaders, if they put in place the right pol- floating offshore wind, said GWEC.
icy now, said GWEC. In the Philippines, high economic growth
The report is important because floating wind is driving increased electricity demand. Float-
turbines are the only ones that are plausible in ing offshore wind sites with good resources are
deep ocean water. The market is nascent, but located close to load centres. The government
could be huge: 80% of the world’s offshore wind has an ambitious agenda. However, tariffs and
resource potential lies in waters deeper than 60 infrastructure could pose challenges, cautioned
metres. GWEC.
“Offshore wind is a vital tool in global action On the Pacific coast of the USA, there is a lack
to decarbonise. While the focus of this decade of access to fixed offshore wind sites – the waters
is rapid growth of fixed offshore wind, we also are very deep -- coupled with high ambition
need to see political leadership so that floating from the state and federal governments. This all
offshore wind is ready to play its part,” said Ben points to rapid growth of floating offshore wind.
Backwell, CEO of GWEC. However, major grid investment will be required
The five countries profiled have a combined to support connection, said the report. ™

P12 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 11 16•March•2022