Offshore wind energy market to hit new high by 2020
May 15, 2013Wind energy continues to attract attention
Offshore wind energy continues to be a popular subject in Europe and some parts of Asia. This form of renewable energy has the potential to be quite valuable for countries that have access to the strong wind currents that can be found at sea. While wind energy has long been popular in many parts of the world, the offshore variety has gained attention due to its potential to produce large amounts of electrical power by harnessing the unhindered strength of ocean wind currents.
Offshore wind market expected to hit $130 billion by 2020
A new report from Roland Berger, an industry consultancy firm, suggests that offshore wind energy is likely to become more popular in the near future as the market matures. The report, called “Offshore Wind Toward 2020,” claims that the offshore wind energy market will reach approximately $130 billion by the end of 2020. The report cites multiple trends that are emerging in the market that support this growth, such as the increasing interest large companies are beginning to show in offshore wind energy.
China begins showing more support for wind
Europe is expected to continue dominating the offshore wind market, largely due to the support this sector has seen from several governments therein. The Asia Pacific and North American regions are expected to see more activity in this sector in the coming years, however. China is quickly establishing a strong presence in offshore wind energy, believing that this form of renewable energy could be a significant boon for the country’s continued efforts to break away from fossil-fuels.
EU has high hopes for renewable energy
The European Union has set a goal to receive 35% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. Approximately 12% of this is expected to come from wind energy. Member states have been enthusiastic in their support of this goal, adopting aggressive policies that call for more support to be placed behind renewable energy.