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First published in Cleantech magazine, July 2008. Copyright Cleantech Investor, 2008  Image courtsey of NaREC One third of the EU’s projected wind energy under the renewables obligation target is projected to come from offshore wind. The German Wind Energy Institute expects offshore wind to account for around one third of the country’s total capacity of wind energy installed by 2017 – and half of the total by 2030.
In the UK, the National and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) estimates that 5,000 turbines will potentially need to be installed around the country to meet the 2020 targets. The Crown Estate has released eleven sites for offshore wind farms, which are expected to contribute up to 30% of the UK’s electricity needs – at a projected cost of some £80 billion.
The US onshore wind energy industry has lagged behind its European counterpart. However, the US looks set to move ahead with offshore wind. The first US offshore wind farm is likely to be installed by Bluewater Wind LLC, off the coast of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Legislation was pushed through in Delaware State in June this year to permit the project, scheduled for completion by 2012, to proceed.
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, deep water wind energy developer Blue H (see feature on Offshore Wind - applying skills from the oil industry) is pushing forward with plans for a demonstration project in waters located 23 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard and 45 miles off the coast of New Bedford. Blue H USA, LLC has received a letter of support from the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to the Minerals Management Service, which regulates the development of alternative energy off America’s coast, requesting consideration of the project. |
