H1 Europe added 1.3 GW of offshore wind capacity

According to WindEurope, a Brussels-based European wind energy association, Europe installed 1.
3 GW of new offshore wind capacity
in the first half of 2021.

By 2050, the European Union (EU) expects to generate about 20% of its electricity through offshore wind projects, with 120 offshore wind projects
currently available.
European governments have committed to installing 111 GW of offshore wind capacity
by 2030.

According to WindEurope, 2.
5 GW of wind turbines have been ordered, double the current installation rate
.
With newly installed turbines averaging 8-10 MW each, turbines are getting
bigger in size.
At the same time, orders for 12-15 MW turbines are being placed
.

The Dogger Bank wind farm will be equipped with 14 MW turbines that can power homes for two days
in a single rotation.

Spain has unveiled its offshore wind strategy, while the Polish government has signed contracts with developers for 6 GW of offshore wind projects expected to begin operations in 2026
, the association said.

Greece is also expected to prepare legislation
for its first offshore wind auction next year.
The association said Europe is expected to open the world's first offshore wind project
connected to the grid with Germany and Denmark.

At the same time, France launched an auction of a large floating wind farm and began construction of its first offshore wind project
.
It has also initiated infrastructure works at the new port of the Mediterranean to develop three floating wind farms
.

In addition, Europe plans to use offshore wind energy to produce renewable hydrogen, as Ørsted expects to build a 1 GW electrolyzer
in its SEAH2LAND project.
The electrolyzer will be connected to a new 2 GW offshore wind project in the Dutch North Sea and should produce hydrogen
by 2030.

As governments develop COVID-19 recovery strategies, green hydrogen is considered a key driver, especially in Europe
.
In its recent hydrogen strategy, the EU calls for 40 GW of hydrogen electrolyzer capacity
by 2030.

Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope, said: "Offshore wind already generates 3% of Europe's electricity and will grow
rapidly.
Turbines are getting bigger and more countries are building offshore wind farms and promising to develop them as costs fall, making offshore wind a thing
for all of Europe.
”

"Europe continues to lead the way in technology, including floating wind
.
We are innovating to integrate offshore wind into the energy system, connecting the world's first wind farm to two countries and investing in hydrogen production from offshore wind," Dickson added
.

The association added that governments need to continue to be involved in their regulatory frameworks, auctions, grid planning, building supply chains, and ensuring coexistence
between rapidly expanding offshore wind and other social and economic benefits in the marine sector.

Last year, the European Commission unveiled plans
to increase European offshore wind capacity from 12 GW to 60 GW by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050.
It also proposes to increase the capacity of ocean energy and other emerging technologies, such as floating wind and solar, to 40 GW
by 2050.