Wind power – Oceans of opportunity: Harnessing Europe’s largest domestic energy resource

Recognising that by 2030 it is predicted that there will be a total installed capacity of 150 GW of offshore wind power producing over 550 TWh of electricity, meeting 13-17% of EU electricity demand and avoiding 290 Mt of CO2 annually.

Recognising that by 2030 it is predicted that there will be more than 13 GW installed and €16.5 billion invested per year.

We, the undersigned, pledge to:

Ensure that a sufficient number of suitable, reliable and cost-efficient offshore turbines, together with a sufficient number of reliable wind turbine components, are available to be installed.

Ensure that a sufficient number of foundations are available to be installed.

Ensure that a sufficient number of installation vessels and cranes are available to install the turbines and foundations.

Ensure that a sufficient number of cable laying vessels are available to lay the necessary grid infrastructure.

Ensure that sufficient High Voltage DC VSC electricity transmission technology is developed, improved and delivered to build the transnational offshore grid in an optimal and timely manner.

Ensure RD&D efforts and investment in skills and training are expanded to deliver offshore technologies, manufacturing and installation processes to support offshore growth and meet the European Wind Initiative’s goal of making offshore wind the most competitive energy source on the market in 2030.

We, the undersigned, call on:

The European Commission to publish its Blueprint for a North Sea Grid (1) (or North West Europe Offshore Grid) outlining an Action Plan to ensure a European Offshore Grid building on the 11 offshore grids currently operating and 21 offshore grids being considered in the North and Baltic Seas is financed, built and operated. This will supply affordable electricity to Europe, reduce import dependence, cut CO2 emissions, allow Europe to access its largest domestic energy source and create a truly pan-European electricity super highway.
(1) Together with its Baltic Interconnection Plan and Mediterranean Energy Ring.

The European Commission to publish its EU Energy Security and Infrastructure Instrument focused on developing and building an offshore and onshore European electricity grid that integrates large quantities of wind power. It must also provide adequate financing, and improved coordination and harmonisation of authorisation procedures.

The European Commission to publish its Communication on Financing Low Carbon Technologies outlining sufficient budgetary support for innovation that the offshore wind energy industry can operate 150 GW of offshore wind power in 2030.

The European Commission to publish its Market Integration Roadmap ensuring that the National Regulatory Authorities and European Network of Transmission System Operators implement electricity market rules which facilitate the integration of large quantities of offshore wind power.

The European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E) to publish a 10 Year Network Development Plan capable of integrating 40 GW of offshore wind power in 2020 with a view to reaching 150 GW by 2030 by developing a pan-European offshore grid and the necessary onshore infrastructure.

The Member States, through their National Renewable Energy Action Plans, to provide efficient legislative frameworks to enable offshore wind deployment, to streamline permitting procedures and to aim to implement one-stop-shop approaches so as to build a new multi-billion euro European industry, deliver thousands of jobs and a new renewable energy economy, and establish Europe as world leader in offshore wind power technology.

The Member States to improve cross-border cooperation on maritime spatial planning with the aim of developing offshore renewable sources of energy.

The National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to remove barriers that prevent wind generators accessing the electricity network.

The European Investment Bank to significantly increase its support by stepping up its financing of offshore wind farm projects and offshore electricity grids.

First name Last name Organisation Country
Wolfgang Bräuer EnBW Germany
Peter C. Brun Vestas Wind Systems Denmark
João Paulo Costeira EDP Renovables Spain
Anders Dahl Vattenfall Vindkraft Sweden
Mark Ennis Airtricity Ireland
Carlos Gasco Iberdrola renewables Spain
Henning Kruse SIEMENS Wind Power Denmark
Michael Lewis E.ON Climate & Renewables Germany
Mete Maltepe GE Energy Germany
Joaquín Mollinedo Acciona Energia Spain
Eddie O’Connor Mainstream Renewable Power Ireland
Erik Pedersen Suzlon Wind Energy Denmark
Christina Sørensen DONG Energy Denmark
Anna Stanford Renewable Energy Systems U.K.

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Facts on offshore wind energy

According to the European Environmental Agency offshore wind can power Europe seven times over

* More than 100 GW of capacity planned = 10% of EU power
* An infinite and CO2 free energy source
* Creating thousands of new jobs
* Stimulating the economy

www.ewea.org/offshore/