WindEurope Bulletin
WindEurope Bulletin September 2017
4 September 2017
Giles Dickson
CEO Foreword
Dear member,
Autumn 2017 will give us a number of key pointers of where the wind industry will be in the next decade.
The new EU policy framework that will guide our industry post-2020 will be defined by the end of this year. The European Parliament and Member States have entered the crucial phase of negotiation on the EU’s "Clean Energy Package." They will vote on their respective positions in November / December then start the final negotiations early next year. It’s a key chance for us to try to secure a supportive legislative framework up to 2030. And it is not only about the advocacy work we do in Brussels. It is about national governments believing in the clean transition and the role of the wind industry in this progression.
Good news on cost reduction is key to helping us win the argument for ambitious policies on renewables. Whilst flawed in many ways, the results of recent onshore auctions in Spain and Germany show prices falling significantly. We look forward to the results of the next auctions in Germany (onshore) and the UK and the Netherlands (both offshore).
But at the same time we need to keep up the pressure on national governments to provide the long-term clarity and revenue stability that come from having a visible pipeline of auctions. The prospect of new Governments this autumn in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway and the Czech Republic mean we’ll need to engage new as well as existing political actors on this.
It’s crucial we gear up our lobbying activities. Contact our Advocacy Team to find out more and see how you can help.
On 26 September we release the WindEurope mid-term market outlook and our 2030 scenarios. The mid-term market outlook will define what we think will be the annual installation volumes, for both onshore and offshore wind, each year from now to 2020. It will also give highlight developments on financing. The 2030 scenarios set out how much wind energy we think Europe will have by 2030, broken down by country – and what wind will be supporting in terms of jobs, growth and investment. In addition to reading our publications online, you can tune in to our mid-term market outlook webinar and discuss the projections with our analysts. Click here to register.
With growth in capacity come new investors. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) – through which corporates are procuring electricity directly from renewable energy suppliers – are on the rise. They surpassed the 2 GW mark in Europe in 2016. More and more companies are getting on board and looking to buy clean power. We’re running an event in Brussels on 10 – 11 October (RE-Source 2017) to profile this and to connect renewable energy buyers and sellers. We’re doing it with the solar industry and a number of buyers of clean energy, including the chemicals sector. Do come if you can.
Then we have our annual event in Amsterdam in November, where there’ll be extensive business opportunities. The onshore and offshore wind industry will both be there – from 28 to 30 November. There’ll be plenty of networking opportunities at the exhibition floor. But also at our members reception in the Rijksmuseum and the gala event in the Maritime Museum. You can also make new contacts at the conference with 35+ sessions developed by the sector for the sector. We’ve just finished reviewing the 380 abstracts submitted and will publish the conference programme mid-September. You can still become an exhibitor by booking your stand here.
We look forward to seeing you, certainly in Amsterdam and we hope at our PPAs event – and to working with you over the coming months.
Members’ successes
World’s first floating wind farm, built by Statoil, to come into production during the autumn: Hywind Scotland
The world’s first floating wind farm is under construction off Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Statoil is installing a 30 MW wind turbine farm on floating structures at Buchan Deep, 25 km off Peterhead, harnessing Scottish wind resources to provide renewable energy to the mainland. All five Siemens 6 MW wind turbines have been mounted on their respective SPAR floating foundations off Stord, Norway, and were towed to site in Scotland this August. The wind farm is expected to come into production during the autumn and will power around 20,000 households.
The pilot park will cover around 4 square kilometres, at a water depth of 95-120 metres. The floating wind turbines have a total height of 253 metres, with 175 metres of the structures floating above water, from the sea surface to wingtip, and 78 metres submerged underwater. The rotor diameter is 154 metres. This is only the first step of the project and the end goal is to install a large scale floating offshore wind park of 500 to 1000 MW.
This marks an important step forward for floating offshore wind technology, proving that floating offshore wind is no longer confined to R&D and is ready to be integrated into the energy market. Floating offshore wind technology has the potential to further increase offshore wind power capacity by giving access to new markets for renewable energy production worldwide and its development could greatly contribute to reach EU 2030 targets.
New Members’ Interview
Synergies between wind energy and fossil fuels are transforming the global energy mix, and WindEurope’s membership is reflecting this evolving relationship. In this interview with our newest member from the oil and gas industry, President and CEO of ONS Leif Johan Sevland shares his thoughts on the synergies between wind and oil and gas.
Can you explain to our readers a little about the synergies between wind and oil and gas?
As I see it, there are substantial synergies to be found between wind and oil and gas. For instance, the oil and gas industry has extensive experience in building and operating complex structures offshore, which the wind industry could benefit from.
A lot of suppliers in the oil and gas industry have discovered that their technology is relevant for the wind industry. The wind industry can teach the oil and gas industry a lot about turbines, project efficiency and how to manage complex logistics.
What does the wind industry stand to learn from the oil and gas industry?
The oil and gas industry’s expertise is to plan, build and operate large and complex structures offshore, and produce energy extracted from below the seabed. During the 50 years of activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, there has been an impressive and continuous development of technology.
Also, the strong focus on HSE during offshore operations on the Norwegian shelf is the object of constant improvements. I am confident that the offshore competence held by the oil and gas industry, including the petro-maritime sector, can be an asset when developing and operating offshore wind parks.
As more and more oil and gas companies go green, how do you see the future of the oil and gas industry?
It is all about supplying energy to the markets. Many oil and gas operators have fully recognised the importance of expanding their core business from oil and gas to a more energy company focus.
I believe it is no longer a question about whether the business sector should take actions to meet the climate challenge. Being in the forefront to produce carbon-friendly energy will be seen as a competitive advantage in business going forward.
However, as costs are going down in renewables, I am glad to see that wind is good business, also for the companies coming from oil and gas.
As a Norway-based company, what recent developments in the Norwegian market are taking sustainability forward?
In Norway, the state-controlled company Statoil’s attitude to renewable energy is an important motor for sustainability. For several years, Statoil has included renewable energy as part of their company’s main strategies and business areas. They have invested a lot, and have a strong focus on developing secure, sustainable and commercially viable energy.
Statoil is an innovator in offshore wind, and a world leader in carbon capture and storage. The company is a shining example for the rest of the oil and gas industry, and is driving the green trend forward. I am also proud of the Norwegian supply industry, which has been able to transform and capture business opportunities in offshore wind.
From an oil and gas perspective, what are the most exciting aspects of the wind industry today?
As mentioned earlier; transfer of knowledge, competence, technology, project planning and execution.
Looking forward, what future developments would you like to see in the European energy market?
I would like to see less coal and more gas and wind. There is no doubt that renewable energy will experience strong growth and become increasingly important in the future. At the same time, I believe gas is an important substitute for coal, which is the most polluting form of energy.
This is underlined by the success story with reduction of carbon emissions in the UK.
Events
WindEurope Conference & Exhibition 2017
When: 28 – 30 November 2017
Where: Amsterdam
85% of exhibition space already sold: Final exhibition spaces available for WindEurope’s Conference and Exhibition 2017
Time is running out if you want to share the exhibition floor with major wind industry players in Amsterdam for WindEurope’s internationally famous conference and exhibition.
Book your exhibition stand today
Invitation to Members’ Reception at WindEurope Conference & Exhibition 2017
When: Monday 27 November 2017
Where: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
The Members’ Reception at WindEurope’s Conference & Exhibition will be held in the most iconic museum of Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, on Monday 27 November 2017.
Exclusively available to WindEurope members, free of charge, this venue will host attendees for a networking reception adjoining the famous Gallery of Honour. Enjoy a guided visit and marvel at Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” and Vermeer’s “The Milk Maid” whilst meeting with business colleagues and leads on the eve of WindEurope’s Conference and Exhibition.
Access is exclusively upon invitation and only for the members of WindEurope. Attendance will be based on a first-come, first-served system, and restrictions may be imposed on the number of participants per company.
Mid-Term Outlook Webinar
When: Monday 25 September, 15:00 – 16:00 CET
Join us for our first ever Mid-Term Market Outlook Webinar.
WindEurope Analysts will discuss the future developments of the European wind energy market, outlining yearly installation and financing highlights from both the onshore and offshore sectors up to 2020. Participants will have the opportunity to get insights on national policy development, auction schedules, wind penetration rates by country, and many other relevant details for the wind energy sector. This will be followed by a Q&A session for participants.
WindEurope will release its “Mid-Term Market Outlook for wind power in Europe” report in the morning of 25 September.
You are welcome to register for the webinar by clicking on the button below.
RE-Source 2017: The corporate PPA event connecting renewable energy buyers and sellers
When: 10 – 11 October 2017
Where: Steigenberger Wiltcher’s, Brussels
Europe’s leading event on corporate sourcing of renewable energy.
Europe’s leading event on corporate sourcing of renewable energy will bring together a range of multinational corporations, renewable energy developers and senior decision-makers to raiseawareness, exchange information and facilitate connections in order to rapidly increase the procurement of renewable power.
Giles Dickson explains Corporate Renewable PPAs
Global Wind Summit 2018
When: 25 – 28 September 2018
Where: Hamburg
Over 35,000 people will attend the largest wind event in the world. Don’t miss the global on- and off-shore expo!
Early registration is recommended!
IRPWind/EERA Joint Programme Wind R&D Conference
When: 25 – 26 September 2017, 9.30 – 16.00
Where: Amsterdam
The research partners of EERA JPWind present the results from the European and national R&D programmes on wind energy during this yearly international event.
SKILLWIND Better training workshop
When: 4 October 2017, 9.30 – 16.00
Where: WindEurope Rue d’Arlon 80, 1040 Brussels
A workshop on improving O&M, and health and safety training in the European wind energy workforce.
Invitation to participate in WindEurope’s survey on EU-funding opportunities
There are lots of EU funding opportunities to finance your activities…don’t miss them!
The European Union is funding a wide variety of activities, spanning from R&I to maritime policies, regional development and cooperation, education and training, and more.
WindEurope can help you access that money: simply complete this short survey on your use of EU funding and we will see how we can support you!
