The paper ‘Europe Powered by Green Energy’ puts the spotlight on how offshore wind in the North Seas can lead the change towards a Europe powered by green energy.
The Dream has become a reality
In 2017, renewable energy reached a breakthrough in Europe, when it became cheaper to install offshore wind power than to build new fossil-fuel based power plants. The cost of offshore wind energy has fallen 63% in six years. This is a remarkable achievement on its own. It confirms that it’s economically viable to build a European economy that runs on green energy. And this is vital if Europe is to meet its commitment in the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature increases to 2 degrees above preindustrial levels by 2100, while striving towards 1.5 degrees.
The North European potential
Europe sits on one of the world’s best offshore wind resources in the North Seas. Here, wind speeds are high, relatively constant and the waters are shallow, providing good conditions for bottom fixed foundations. By 2030, the North Seas can supply 80% of European electricity demand.
What will it take?
Four principles could help guide our thinking about how such a framework should look for offshore wind power. Read more about them here: Europe powered by green energy.