The floating wind industry, still in its infancy, is set for a 2000-fold increase in installed capacity by 2050, DNV GL said, however, warning that more comprehensive industry standards and risk management is required for the technology to scale.
According to the report by risk management and quality assurance company, the cost of floating wind will fall approximately 70% by 2050 (to a global average of 40 EUR per MWh.) and offer new opportunities to players in the offshore wind, oil & gas, and maritime industries as they shift their portfolios to become less dependent on fossil fuels.
DNV GL, which has played an important role in creating and implementing many of the rules and standards that have helped the maritime, oil & gas and offshore wind (fixed) industries operate and grow safely, says learnings from established offshore industries will be important for floating wind. In particular, DNV GL said, standardization and risk management will be essential to build stakeholder confidence.
"We know that floating wind is technically feasible; the challenge now is to move rapidly to commercial deployments,” says Remi Eriksen Group President & CEO of DNV GL. “There is a wealth of expertise to call on. The know-how from bottom fixed offshore wind, the competences of shipyards, and of oil and gas contractors all broadly align with the technical, logistical and operational challenges of floating wind.”
DNV GL forecasts a strong future scenario for floating wind energy. Its model predicted that the installed capacity of floating wind would grow from 100 MW today to 250 GW in 2050. Or in other words, a 2000-fold increase.
"Unrestrained by ocean depth, it will be an especially attractive option to bring wind power in reach of much more of the world’s population including the mega cities of Asia Pacific. Although the average cost is not expected to become less than for than bottom-fixed wind, the price difference will narrow as both fall. Key to these savings will be the introduction of larger turbines, larger wind farms, significant technology developments and the creation of a highly cost-competitive supply chain," DNV GL said.
Magnus Ebbesen, Floating Wind Lead at DNV GL said: “There is a lot of room for innovation and optimization, but also for brand new solutions. That brings some risk, but risks that can be managed and minimized. With an evolving technology, flexibility and forward-thinking are imperative. Get it right, and floating wind presents a very attractive opportunity with healthy returns – for investors and the planet.”
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