The moment EWEA Offshore 2013 Conference and Exhibition kicked off today in Frankfurt, Germany, the event’s focus became clear: political certainty and firm post-2020 target as key factors in setting conditions for stable development of offshore wind energy.
Thomas Becker, CEO of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) welcomed delegates and other attendees of the event this morning. He joked about why this year’s event is being held in Frankfurt by saying: “They don’t have shore, but they have money.”
Mr. Becker and Henrik Poulsen, Conference Chair and CEO of DONG Energy, announced the main theme of the conference.
Offshore wind industry needs a binding target for 2030 and guidance after 2030, along with policy clarity and a long-term political support. The target of 40 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2020, which will cost EUR 100 billion, is not unachievable. It gets difficult to achieve this with political and legislative obstacles, since offshore wind energy needs stable political framework.
Also, putting higher prices on CO2 emissions, among other things, can push this clean energy source toward successful establishment and steady development.
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Offshore WIND Staff, November 19, 2013; Image: EWEA