[ad_1]
To help meet the EU’s climate neutrality target by 2050, the European Commission today presents the EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy. The Strategy proposes increase Europe’s offshore wind capacity from its current level of 12 GW to at least 60 GW by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050. The Commission intends to complement this with 40 GW of ocean energy and other emerging technologies such as floating wind and solar power by 2050.
This ambitious growth will build on the enormous potential of all Europe’s sea basins and the global leadership position of EU companies in the sector. It will create new opportunities for industry, generate green jobs across the continent and strengthen the EU’s global leadership in marine energy technologies. It will also ensure the protection of our environment, biodiversity and fisheries.
Executive Vice President of the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans said: “Today’s strategy shows the urgency and opportunity to increase our investment in offshore renewable energy. With our vast sea basins and industrial leadership, the European Union has everything it needs to meet the challenge. Renewable energy offshore is already a true success story in Europe. Our goal is to turn it into an even greater opportunity for clean energy, high-quality jobs, sustainable growth and international competitiveness. ”
Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson, said: “Europe is a world leader in offshore renewable energy and can become a powerhouse for your global development. We must step up our game by harnessing the full potential of offshore wind energy and advancing other technologies such as wave, tidal and floating solar power. This strategy sets a clear direction and establishes a stable framework, which are crucial for public authorities, investors and promoters in this sector. We need to boost EU domestic production to meet our climate goals, fuel growing demand for electricity, and support the economy in its post-Covid recovery.“
Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginia Sinkevičius, said: “Today’s strategy describes how we can develop renewable energy offshore in combination with other human activities, such as fishing, aquaculture or shipping, and in harmony with nature. The proposals will also allow us to protect biodiversity and address the possible socio-economic consequences for the sectors that depend on the good health of marine ecosystems, thus promoting healthy coexistence within the maritime space ”.
To promote the expansion of offshore energy capacity, the Commission promote cross-border cooperation between Member States on long-term planning and implementation. This will require integrating the offshore renewable energy development objectives into national maritime spatial plans that coastal states must submit to the Commission before March 2021. The Commission will also propose a framework under the TEN Regulation. E revised for long-term marine network planning. , involving regulators and member states in each marine basin.
The Commission considers that investment of almost 800,000 million euros it will be necessary between now and 2050 to meet the proposed objectives. To help generate and unleash this investment, the Commission:
- Provide a clear and supportive legal framework. To this end, the Commission has also clarified the electricity market rules today in an attached working document and will assess whether more specific and specific rules are needed. The Commission will ensure that revisions to the State aid guidelines for environmental protection and energy and the Renewable Energy Directive It will facilitate the profitable deployment of renewable energy offshore.
- Help mobilize all relevant funds to support the development of the sector. The Commission encourages Member States to use the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism and working together with the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions to support investments in offshore energy through InvestEU. Horizon Europe funds will be mobilized to support research and development, especially in less mature technologies.
- Secure a strengthened supply chain. The strategy underscores the need to improve manufacturing capacity and port infrastructure, and to increase a properly trained workforce to maintain higher installation rates. The Commission plans to establish a dedicated offshore renewable energy platform within the Clean Energy Industrial Forum to bring together all stakeholders and address supply chain development.
Marine renewable energy is a rapidly growing global market, especially in Asia and the United States, and provides opportunities for EU industry around the world. Through its Green Deal diplomacy, trade policy, and EU energy dialogues with partner countries, the Commission will support the global adoption of these technologies.
Analyze and monitor environmental, social and economic impacts of offshore renewable energy in the marine environment and the economic activities that depend on it, the Commission will regularly consult a community of experts of public authorities, stakeholders and scientists. Today, the Commission has also adopted a new guidance document on the development of wind energy and EU legislation on nature.
Background
Offshore wind power produces clean electricity that competes with and is sometimes cheaper than existing fossil fuel-based technology. European industries are rapidly developing a range of other technologies to harness the power of our seas to produce green electricity. From floating offshore wind to ocean energy technologies such as wave and tidal waves, floating photovoltaic installations, and using algae to produce biofuels, European companies and laboratories are currently at the forefront.
The offshore renewable energy strategy sets the highest ambition for the deployment of offshore wind turbines (both fixed and floating bottom), where commercial activity is well advanced. In these sectors, Europe has already gained unrivaled technological, scientific and industrial expertise, and there is already great capacity throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing to installation.
While the Strategy highlights the opportunities in all EU sea basins (the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic) and for selected coastal and island communities, the benefits of these technologies are not being realized. they limit to the coasts. regions. The strategy highlights a wide range of inland areas where manufacturing and research are already supporting offshore energy development.
Related
[ad_2]
