Offshore wind market growth cumulative capacity is predicted to increase from 154 to 193 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, with a long-range forecast of over 500 gigawatts by 2050, according to a recent report from U.S.-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
In the 2018 Offshore Wind Technologies Market report, the global wind industry installed a record 5,652 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity in 2018. By the end of 2018, cumulative global offshore wind installed capacity grew to 22,592 MW from 176 operating projects.
"As of Dec. 31, the global pipeline for offshore wind development capacity was about 272,000 MW," according to the report. "The global pipeline for floating offshore wind energy reached 3,100 MW in 2018, with 38 announced projects and 44 MW of operating projects," the report stated.
-U.S. forecast
In 2018, the U.S.' offshore wind energy project development and operational pipeline grew 1.4% to a potential generating capacity of 25,824 MW. Industry forecasts suggest U.S. offshore wind capacity could grow from 11 to 16 GW by 2030.
In 2018, new commitments were added in Massachusetts (an additional 1,600 MW authorized by 2035), New York (6,600 MW added by 2035), and New Jersey (2,400 MW added by 2030), while Connecticut and Rhode Island both agreed to purchase power from Orsted’s 600-MW Revolution project, a new offshore wind farm located within the northern Massachusetts-Rhode Island.
The report also highlighted that floating offshore wind pilot projects are advancing, with the global pipeline for floating offshore wind energy reaching 3,100 MW in 2018, with 29 announced projects and 44 MW of operating projects.
The report covers the status of the 176 operating offshore wind projects through Dec. 31, 2018. The report also provides the status of, and analysis on, a broader global pipeline of 838 projects in various stages of development.
(Anadolu Agency)
