Partnerships to Realize Offshore Wind Targets Wind Power Stronger with Collaboration

As the foundation of the energy transition, offshore wind has gained momentum in Europe and the U.S. Governments in several markets have significantly accelerated and increased their expansion plans for offshore wind and green hydrogen.

I have been in the offshore wind supply industry for over 14 years. During this time, I have always experienced the offshore wind supply industry as an internationally cooperating industry in which the companies support each other. This was my motivation for initiating the joint Supply Chain Declaration on Cooperation.

At the WindEnergy Hamburg 2022 exhibition, the Scottish offshore wind association DeepWind, the Business Network for Offshore Wind from the U.S., the Polish Offshore Wind Association, the Norwegian Energy Partners, the Dutch association NNOW, and the Belgian organization POM West Vlaanderen – the North Sea Interreg Inn2Power project partners of WAB e.V. and Hydrogen Innovation Cluster – signed this declaration in which they committed to working together to achieve the growing goals of:

• 19.6 GW of offshore wind by 2030 in the Baltic Sea.

• 76 GW of offshore wind by 2030 in the North Sea.

• 30 GW of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030.

These cooperating clusters and associations from Europe and the U.S., with a view to the offshore wind supply industry, are aware of the necessity of international cooperation for the required speed of expansion and know what needs to be supported politically to skillfully circumnavigate bottlenecks and make national targets achievable.

A training and qualification offensive is now needed in the countries that are pushing offshore wind development. Sustainable supply chains need sustainable expansion of offshore wind. The cost pressure on the supply industry must be mitigated by measures that make supply chain development sustainable. Qualitative sustainability criteria for auctions, such as carbon footprint, are one example of suitable measures. Cost reduction successes need international exchange on learning curves and best practices.

Following on from the international wind fair in Hamburg, collaboration has already started. Utmost haste is required. In particular, the shortage of skilled labor – which can only be countered through appropriate training and qualification offers, as well as with the marketing of corresponding training –was marked as a priority. To this end, many valuable ideas have already been collected from the partners, which are to be implemented jointly. We learn from each other in order to become faster.

Cost pressure will strongly hinder the growth of the required international supply industry and must therefore be considered in the tendering process for offshore wind expansion areas. Additionally, the international offshore wind supply industry must be profitable enough to allow sustainable growth. Companies within the offshore wind supply industry should have the possibility to bring innovative products, services and solutions to the market.

These aims are the basis for reaching targets and for a long-term cost degression to allow cost-efficient offshore wind

BY HEIKE WINKLER

energy to meet high energy demand in the mid and long term. To be able to produce green hydrogen, which energyintensive industry urgently needs, new paths must be taken.

WAB e.V. looks forward to working with these experienced associations and with organizations true to its own motto: Stronger together. BB

Heike Winkler is managing director of WAB e.V., the German wind industry association. Bremerhaven-based WAB comprises some 250 smaller and larger businesses as well as institutes from all sectors of the wind industry, the maritime industry as well as research, www.wab.net