Increased natural disasters and the degradation of permafrost have shown how serious the problem of climate change is. To stop global warming, more than 170 countries have concluded the Paris Climate Agreement, which calls for limiting average temperature increases to two degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era. Without an energy revolution, the plan cannot be implemented. IRENA analysts estimate that the introduction of renewable energy sources, as well as deep electrification and energy efficiency improvements, will provide more than 90 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals.
In 2019, the total global wind generation capacity exceeded 651 gigawatts (2.5 times the total capacity of all Russian electricity generation), increasing by 10% over the year, experts from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) estimated. China and the U.S. remain the largest markets for onshore wind farms – these countries accounted for more than 60% of the commissioned capacity. At the same time, offshore wind generation begins to play a more prominent role: in 2019, the capacity of this sector grew by 6.1 gigawatts.
The consistent growth of wind power suggested that 2020 would be a record year for the industry. Back in February, BloombergNEF experts predicted a year-end increase of 75 gigawatts in global wind power generation. The pandemic forced to revise the estimates, but the share of renewable sources continues to grow. For example, the capacity of commissioned offshore plants in 2020 will be 6.6 gigawatts – more than the year before.
In several countries, wind power already accounts for a significant share of generation. For example, in the first six months of 2020, wind and solar plants accounted for 42% of power generation in Germany and 33% in Great Britain. In the next decade, this figure will increase even further: the British government, for example, plans to provide every home in the country with electricity from offshore wind turbines by 2030. This ambitious goal will create 2,000 jobs in the field of plant construction and support an additional 60,000 people employed in related industries.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that in 30 years, wind farms, both onshore and offshore, will meet more than a third of the world’s electricity needs, becoming a major energy source.
To reach such an ambitious goal, the total installed capacity of onshore wind power would need to more than triple by 2030, and nine times by mid-century. The growth of offshore wind power should be even more rapid: its total capacity should increase almost tenfold by 2030. The Global Wind Energy Council predicts that the offshore wind energy sector will create 900,000 jobs by 2030. At the same time, the geography will expand significantly. Until now, offshore wind farms have been built mainly in shallow waters. Floating wind turbines, which can also be placed in deep water, will play a more prominent role in the coming years.
The capacity of both wind farms and individual installations will increase. Recently, the U.S. GE presented a prototype of a 13 MW wind turbine – the most powerful in the world. Another trend – the production of blades for wind turbines suitable for full recycling – will make the industry even more environmentally friendly.