In an effort to enhance its wind energy capacity five-fold this decade and 25-fold by 2050 and become climate neutral by mid-century, the European Union is considering a new draft energy plan.
According to Reuters, European Commission is about to issue a draft offshore strategy, as it is expected to be published on Nov. 18.
Namely, EU aims for 60 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030 and 300GW by 2050. For the records, its current capacity is 12GW.
What is more the draft plan includes a goal of 60GW of wave and tidal energy by 2050.
In light of the above, the Commission did not comment on draft documents, as they can change before publication.
“Going for 300GW of wind and 60GW of ocean energy by 2050 means a massive change of scale for the sector in less than 30 years, at a speed that has no equivalent in any other energy technologies in the past,” …as the draft seen by Reuters, stated.
In order to reach the draft’s goals, EU would require 789 billion euros ($937.10 billion) in investment and a revamp of countries’ current policies, which would see only 90GW of offshore renewables deployed by 2050.
However, the draft considers that through power purchase agreements its goals can be achieved, while the EU’s 750-billion-euro coronavirus economic recovery fund could further support new projects.
Concluding, the Commission will also clarify EU rules to enable offshore bidding zones, a more efficient way of integrating offshore projects into power grids, by applying one power price to an offshore area, even if the projects there sell power to multiple countries.
