A report gives an in-depth analysis of the global offshore wind power market, covering three major regions: North America (the US and Canada), Europe (the UK, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Spain and Finland) and Asia-Pacific (China and Japan). The report covers the offshore wind cumulative installed capacity, power generation from 2001 to 2020 and major turbine manufacturers who installed turbines in 2010. The report also provides the policies and regulations for wind energy for each country discussed. It gives global offshore technology analysis, cost analysis and market force analysis with drivers and restraints. From 2001 to 2010, the installed capacity of offshore wind globally grew from 54 MW to 2,862.9 MW, 55.5% annually. The growth in capacity during this period was driven by the commissioning of new offshore wind farms with installed capacities of 2,119 MW in the UK in 2010 and 749 MW in Denmark in 2007. During the forecast period 2011 to 2020 the total global offshore wind installed capacity is expected to grow at 36.8% from 4,782.9 MW to 80,044.5 MW. The sudden rise in capacity in 2020 is mainly due to a capacity addition of 13 GW expected in UK and 2,000 MW in China. A few highlights in the $3,500 report include:
UK leading the race in the offshore wind market
The UK and Denmark are leaders in terms of installed capacity with 1,341.2 MW and 853.7 MW respectively in 2010. A large number of active wind farms are operational in these countries and they have identified a number of sites along their coasts which are favorable for offshore wind power. These countries have allocated budgets and set targets to encourage use of renewable sources for energy production. China is gradually increasing its offshore wind power potential and is planning to introduce new offshore wind farms.
China to compete with European countries in offshore wind
China has introduced a number of new offshore wind farms and is planning to reach more than 11 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2020. The government of China is committed to developing the country’s massive wind resources due to its need for more power to support its growing economy. In 2010, China’s share in the global offshore wind power market was 4% which is expected to rise to 10.3% in 2015 and 14.3% in 2020.
To drive wind power development, the Chinese National Energy Administration has selected locations in provinces with the best wind resources and set targets for each of them to reach by 2020. The expected high growth in the cumulative installed capacity in China is mainly due to the planned offshore wind farms, namely Pingtan offshore wind farm in the East China Sea with a capacity of 1,500 MW, Lufeng Jiahu Bay Offshore Wind Power Plant in South China sea with a capacity of 1,250 MW, Hebei offshore wind farm in the Yellow Sea with a capacity of 1,000 MW capacity and Bohai Bay offshore wind farm with a capacity of 1,000 MW.
Wind companies’ investment plans by new technologies
Wind companies across the world are investing millions of dollars in R&D activities regarding offshore wind turbines, vessels, and others. Turbine manufacturers are developing high capacity turbines which can sustain rough weather at sea. Shipping companies are developing vessels which are suitable for the development of offshore wind turbine installations and are expecting a revolution similar to that caused by the oil and gas industry a few years ago.
Government funding (especially Europe) to boost offshore work
Various governments have announced policies to encourage organizations to establish offshore wind farms. Along with huge tax concessions, governments have introduced new tariff regulations to compensate for huge investments. The U.K. government is offering 1.5 renewable obligation certificates (ROC) per MWh of power generated by offshore wind power compared to 1 ROC/MWh produced from onshore wind power. The German government has announced a sprinter bonus to encourage the faster development of offshore wind projects in the country.

GBI Research
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