Study into the $9.3 billion offshore wind energy sector released
Posted: 12 April 2006
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A new international study into the economic supply chain for offshore wind energy in the North Sea area was launched today in Lowestoft, UK. The research was conducted by leading energy and business analysts Douglas-Westwood Ltd and commissioned by the EU funded POWER (Pushing Offshore Wind Energy Regions) project, an international consortium of key offshore wind energy organisations around the North Sea.
The study concludes that for the POWER project countries in the Southern North Sea (the UK, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands), expenditure in offshore wind is forecast to exceed $9.3 billion over the next 5 years, which is 59% of all global offshore wind expenditure. In the same period, it is forecast that more than 5,600 new jobs could be created in the sector in these four countries.
The study assesses the existing supply chain capabilities of the POWER regions around the Southern North Sea (East of England, Denmark, North-Western Germany and North of North Holland) on strengths, weaknesses and compatibility. It concludes that the POWER regions contain the world's leading suppliers to the offshore wind industry and together with their supply chain, they have the ability to present an unequalled offering to European and global markets.
John Westwood of Douglas-Westwood Ltd said: "The POWER regions together are the world leader in offshore wind, both in operational and planned capacity, and in capability. While no individual region can demonstrate excellence in every aspect of the offshore wind supply chain, together, the individual regions have full capability throughout all identifiable supply chain activities."
Michael Moll, co-ordinator of the supply chain work of the POWER project, commented: "This study makes a very strong case for the regions around the Southern North Sea to work together to ensure that their global leadership is maintained. The POWER project is about establishing a North Sea competence centre for offshore wind energy, and this study confirms that the POWER partners make up a very strong combination of skills."
The study was launched at a Business Breakfast in front of an audience of 100 experts, with international POWER partners as well as businesses and stakeholders from the East of England. The event also launched a report with case studies of offshore wind farms in five countries around the North Sea, and featured an international seminar on skills development issues in offshore wind energy.
The event was jointly organised by the POWER Project, Suffolk County Council, the East of England Energy Group (EEEGr) and Waveney District Council.
Posted by Editor Offshore Arabia Magazine
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