The European Commission presents the Marine Renewable Energy Strategy

The European Commission has presented the European Union Strategy on Marine Renewable Energy, which proposes to increase Europe’s offshore wind energy production capacity from its current level of 12 GW to at least 60 GW by 2030, and 300 GW by 2050. In addition, the Commission intends to complement the strategy with 40 GW of ocean power and other emerging technologies, such as floating wind and solar power, by mid-century.

The increase proposed by the European Commission will be based on the potential of all sea basins in Europe and the leading position of EU companies in the sector. The Commission estimates that an investment of almost 800,000 million euros will be needed between now and 2050 to achieve the proposed objectives.

Expansion of marine energy capacity

To promote the expansion of marine energy capacity, the Commission shall encourage cross-border cooperation between Member States on long-term planning and implementation. This will require integrating the marine renewable energy development objectives into the national maritime spatial planning plans that States are due to submit to the Commission by March 2021 as a deadline.

In addition, the Commission will propose a framework in relation to the revised TEN-E Regulation for long-term maritime network planning, with the involvement of regulators and Member States in each sea basin.

Technological experience and industrial activity

The Marine Renewable Energy Strategy assigns the most ambitious deployment target to offshore wind turbines (both fixed and floating), where commercial activity is well advanced. In these sectors, Europe has already gained technological, scientific and industrial expertise and there is already a large capacity along the entire supply chain, from manufacturing to installation.

However, while the strategy highlights the opportunities in all EU sea basins – those of the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic – and in certain coastal and island communities, the benefits of these technologies are not limited to coastal regions. The strategy highlights a wide range of inland areas where manufacturing and research are already supporting the development of marine energy.

In short, they aim to create new opportunities for industry, generate green jobs across the continent and strengthen the EU’s global leadership in marine energy technologies, as well as ensuring the protection of the environment, biodiversity and fisheries.

Actions to achieve the planned objectives

To achieve the proposed objectives, the European Commission will provide a clear and supportive legal framework. To this end, it has clarified the rules of the electricity market in a Commission staff working document, and will assess whether more specific rules are needed.

The European Executive will also ensure that revisions to the guidelines on State aid for energy and environmental protection and the Renewable Energy Directive facilitate a more cost-efficient deployment of marine renewable energy.

It will also help mobilise the necessary funds to foster the development of the sector, and ensure a strengthened supply chain. And in order to analyse and monitor the environmental, social and economic impact of marine renewable energy on the marine environment and on the economic activities that depend on it, the Commission will regularly consult a community of experts consisting of public authorities, stakeholders and scientists.

The Commission has also adopted a new guidance document on the development of wind energy and EU legislation on nature protection.

Source: Smart Grids Info