WindEurope, the European wind power sector employer’s association, today presented its report Offshore wind in Europe – key trends and statistics 2020. The Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) makes an assessment of the development of offshore wind power in Spain.

In 2020, Europe has increased 2.9 GW of offshore wind power, which is equivalent to 356 new turbines connected to the grid in 9 offshore wind farms. Currently, Europe has a total installed capacity of 25 GW of offshore wind in 12 countries.
The international framework is clearly favorable for offshore wind as a key technology in meeting decarbonisation objectives, as shown by the support received in many European countries, which for years have been betting on this form of energy.

According to IRENA forecasts to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the total marine wind power required globally should be 228 GW in 2030 and 1,000 GW in 2050. According to the IEA, offshore wind will account for half of installed electricity generation in Europe.

Spain has 6,000 kilometers of coastline in which there is a stable and abundant wind resource. However, due to various factors, offshore wind has barely been developed, beyond some specific research projects, in contrast to onshore wind and other European countries that are strongly committed to offshore wind, in line with the objective strategic of the EU to consolidate itself as world leaders in this technology.

The implementation of policies to combat climate change and energy transition, together with the industrial capacities of the wind and naval sectors, the real interest of investors, and the strong reduction in costs, make the current moment a great opportunity to exploit the great potential of existing offshore wind in our country.

The progress that floating wind power has experienced in recent years constitutes an additional development vector for Spain, by opening the door to new locations further from the coast, with very high capacity factors, and which allow a substantial reduction in environmental impact. and visual with respect to the projects presented more than a decade ago.

In 2030, the annual offshore installation capacity could exceed that of onshore. Offshore wind is estimated to supply 14% of electricity demand in the US.
A potential 300,000 jobs in the US are estimated by 2030.
The development of floating wind power in Spain should take advantage of the advantages provided by the opening of new sites further away from the coast, which present very high capacity factors that can exceed 4,000 equivalent hours, and which allow a substantial decrease in environmental and visual impact compared to old fixed foundation projects submitted more than a decade ago.
The current situation of floating wind technology allows today the installation of large commercial parks, which can also be combined with the promotion of demonstration parks that support the validation of the Spanish floating technologies in development.

STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE WIND IN SPAIN ACCORDING TO PREPA
Spain has the opportunity to capitalize on the advantages of being a “first mover” to maximize the local economic benefits of a nascent supply chain in this industry. However, without a clear and ambitious Strategy, with concrete actions in the short term, this opportunity will be diluted in favor of other European countries that are already developing the market and have specific support instruments.

Offshore Wind Energy Strategy

Spain has the opportunity to capitalize on the advantages of being a "first mover" to maximize the local economic benefits of a nascent supply chain in this industry. However, without a clear and ambitious Strategy, with concrete actions in the short term, this opportunity will be diluted in favor of other European countries that are already developing the market and have specific support instruments.

Offshore Wind Strategy Approve the Offshore Wind and Offshore Energy Strategy in the short term, with specific objectives as included in other Strategies / Roadmaps led by the Government. In this way, a vision will be given of the level of ambition as a country, so important in attracting investment. Differentiating aspects will have to be considered with respect to other neighboring countries such as Spain's geostrategic position with respect to emerging energy markets, or its strategic location as the "Southern Border of Europe" with the security conditions that it implies, among others. These differentiating aspects, in addition to challenges, represent clear opportunities for offshore wind to provide greater added value in the economic and safety fields. Update RD 1028/2007 to adapt it to the current regulatory framework, as well as to the development approach of offshore wind power in Spain that includes the Strategy. Obtain the Maritime Space Management Plans (POEM) in a manner consistent with the Strategy. Advance in the design of Offshore Wind Auctions so that, once the management of the Maritime Space has been resolved, to be able to call an auction in the shortest time possible. In this regard, a specific auction could be advanced in the Canary Islands, taking advantage of favorable conditions to start the deployment of floating offshore wind, based on the cost avoided for the electricity system and for the General State Budgets. The PNIEC has already detected the opportunity in the short term that the use of the island territories of the Canary Islands would have as tractors and "spearhead" for the deployment of offshore wind, due to its greater impact on reducing GHG emissions and by the cost factor. Leading the European position in floating offshore wind. The Iberian Peninsula as a “Hub of the complete value chain of Floating Offshore Wind”. Spain has a strong business, industrial and innovation fabric very focused on floating offshore wind, which allows it to cover practically the entire value chain, despite not having any installation in our country. These conditions favor Spain's commitment to exercising a leadership role in the development of floating offshore wind power, which would be an important vector of economic development for many regions, as well as an additional tool to implement just transition strategies towards renewable sectors with strong industrial implantation and capacity to generate employment.
THE SPANISH WIND INDUSTRY OFFSHORE
Spain currently has a strong industrial and business fabric focused on offshore wind, largely arising from the leadership and experience acquired during the more than 20 years of implementation of onshore wind and from synergies with the naval sector.

The presence of the Spanish industry in the current offshore wind market is indisputable, having already positioned itself as one of the main European knowledge and supply hubs for the international market. In fact, numerous Spanish companies and consortia successfully participate in these markets, exporting components and services throughout the value chain of European offshore parks.

Offshore wind in Spain also presents very important synergies with other strategic sectors, such as the shipbuilding industry (shipyards), the maritime-port sector and civil engineering, for which offshore wind has become a very potential market. important in your business diversification and workload stabilization strategies.

The manufacture of large structures (fixed, floating or even complete offshore substations) and various wind components in Spanish shipyards, located in areas close to ports and which also have extensive experience in the manufacturing processes of metal products, is assuming a great opportunity to diversify the business of the Naval Industry. Some of the Spanish shipyards and ports are already acting as logistics and manufacturing hubs, combining the activity of the naval sector, such as the construction of service vessels for offshore parks, with the construction of large support structures and wind components for use in the sea. The development and future operation of offshore wind farms in Spain would also give rise to a new market.