Offshore wind poised to reach 100 GW by 2030 - IRENA

Offshore wind capacity is set to reach 100 GW by 2030, driven by technology innovation, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says in an analysis, released today.

It could significantly exceed that level with more ambitious policies, IRENA adds. Policies to double renewables in the global energy mix would require 1,990 GW of wind capacity by 2030, including about 280 GW of offshore wind.

At the end of 2015, the world had about 12.4 GW of offshore wind capacity, mainly off northern Europe.

Technology advancements such as next-generation turbines with larger blades and floating turbines that will open up currently inaccessible sites are expected to cut the average costs for electricity produced by offshore wind farms from USD 170 (EUR 156) per MWh in 2015 to USD 95 per MWh by 2030 and USD 74 per MWh by 2045. Cost declines will also be aided by non-technology innovations like new market strategies and refined tools to reduce finance risks.

Over the next three decades, offshore wind capacity is expected to increase to roughly 400 GW.

"Now that onshore wind power is cost-competitive with conventional power generation technologies, more attention is shifting to offshore applications, characterised by high technical power generation potential," said IRENA director-general Adnan Z Amin.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.912)

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