GWEC increases offshore wind outlook, 21.1 GW added in 2021

The global offshore wind industry connected 21.1 GW of new capacity to the grid in a record 2021, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), which also raised its outlook for 2030 on governments’ increased offshore wind ambitions.

According to the GWEC Market Intelligence report last week, the forecast for 2030 is increased by 45.3 GW, or 16.7%, from last year’s report. In the 2022-2030 period, 260 GW of new offshore wind could be deployed, bringing total global offshore wind installations to 316 GW by the end of the decade.

Annual additions are seen to reach 54.9 GW in 2031.

Higher offshore wind targets as countries look for energy security are expected to lead to around 370 GW of global offshore wind capacity by 2031, close to GWEC/IRENA’s target of 380 GW by 2030 for a net-zero pathway.

GWEC says that joint efforts by governments, industry and other stakeholders are needed to ensure the right pace of seabed licensing, simplified planning processes and auctions that deliver sustainable prices.

According to GWEC Market Intelligence, there is more than 700 GW of offshore wind projects at different stages of development globally, including 120 GW of floating wind.

Of the 2021 installations, meanwhile, 80% were in China.

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