Renewables are surely the best option, at the moment, to fight the increase of CO2 emission and global warming. Recently, the IEA has release a report stating that offshore wind, the one blowing in the sea, could produce eleven times more electricity than the world needs.
In the report released few days ago, the IEA affirms that “the untapped potential of offshore wind is vast,” and that “the promising outlook for offshore wind is underpinned by policy support in an increasing number of regions,” including Europe and China.
The Agency highlights, although, that in order to exploit its full potential, offshore wind will need governments to fully commit implementing new policies, technologies and approaches. According to this report, China is likely to have the world’s largest offshore wind plants by 2025, rising its wind capacity from 4 gigawatts today to 110 gigawatts by 2040.
The IEA executive director Fatih Birol states that even tho offshore produces just 0.3% of global power, “its potential is near limitless. Improved technology and steep cost reductions are putting more and more of that potential within our reach.” Furthermore, Birol affirmed that offshore wind could also be a huge opportunity in the production of hydrogen.
In the North Sea, some energy companies supported by the UK government, are planning to use the electricity produced by extensive offshore wind-farms to transform sea water into hydrogen. The gas produced by this plants, could be pumped back to the mainland to heat millions of houses by the 2030s. The UK has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
However, the future wind energy potential is strictly related to political agenda. Environmental and social issues as well as government policies will represent constraints on wind farm development.
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